Arthur J. Kennedy

Arthur Joseph Kennedy, 81, of Kansas City North, Missouri, passed away on Sunday, October 19, 2014 after a long battle with cancer. He was born November 10, 1932 in Plattsburg, MO, to Joseph and Anna Kennedy as one of six children. Arthur is preceded in death by his parents, brothers James & Michael Kennedy, sisters Mary Catherine Hegarty and Rita Austin and oldest daughter Julie Ann Kennedy.

Art attended Cameron High School and graduated with the class of 1950. Following graduation, he joined the U.S. Army where he served post Korean Conflict. After serving, he returned to Kansas City in 1955 and attended trade school for automotive body and fender repair. Art had a passion for automotive repair and filling station management. This led him to open his first Sinclair filling station in 1960 in Kansas City. He later partnered with his longtime friend and business owner Pete Diaz to establish a Gulf station.

He had a strong entrepreneurial spirit and pursued being owner operator of his own dump truck for over 20 years. He retired in 1994 which allowed him time to travel with his wife Josephine. Art continued to keep ‘his hands in it’ and maintained a garage where he always had a small engine to repair. His big smile and abundant laugh was welcoming to anyone walking up to his garage to talk about engines.

Marrying his beloved wife, Josephine (Gleason), in 1960 Art enjoyed 54 years of marriage. He was deeply committed to family life and instilled strong Christian value and character in his four children. Art enjoyed family life and it was common to see him giving tractor or scooter rides or planting a large garden. He loved the outdoors and could always find great joy in the simple pleasures of life.

Art is survived by his wife, Josephine Kennedy; sister, Rose Mayer, Overland Park, KS, and sister-in-law Donna Kennedy, Springfield MO; son Art (Tonyia) Kennedy, Prairie Village, KS, son John (Luci) Kennedy, Paola, KS and daughter Lurleen (Chris) Sobolik, Cedar Falls, IA. Art cherished his time with his grandchildren; Bridget, Katherine, Patrick, Conor, Christian, Madeline and Mitchell in which he will be deeply missed.

Art maintained great courage and hope and continued to remind us of the preciousness of life.

A Visitation will be held Thursday, October 23 from 6pm to 8 pm at McGilley Antioch Chapel, 3325 N.E. Vivion Road, Kansas City MO. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, October 24 at 9am at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church 900 N.E. Shady Lane Drive Gladstone MO. Burial will follow at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery 5001 N.E. Cookingham Road, Kansas City MO.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Liberty Hospital Hospice.

Arr: McGilley Antioch Chapel