Paul "Sonny" Franklin Kennedy

Paul Franklin Kennedy was born November 5, 1940 in Hornesville, Missouri to Charlotte Iona Killian Kennedy and Paul Hansel Kennedy. He grew up a shy but serious child in Frankton, Indiana nicknamed "Sonny" where he enjoyed being a boy scout, camping and playing sports with his friends and his cousin, Bennie. Paul was small for his age and favored by his teachers. With his big brown eyes, dark hair and darker skin he was kidded for looking like a little Mexican.

Paul also enjoyed family and friends gatherings at their homes or at the local park. He loved his mom’s cooking, especially her biscuits and gravy. Back then he didn’t have a TV so kids entertained themselves. When Paul was 5 he enjoyed picking wild strawberries in a field close to his home. He took a coffee can and picked about 10-12 strawberries while his mom watched. He saw a snake and ran home crying. Once home, a broom fell down and he jumped out of his chair thinking that snake was after him.

His oldest sister Charlotte 15 at the time recalls babysitting younger siblings one day as she did family choirs. Paul "Sonny" was 7 and Sharon was about 5 and living next door to cousins close in age. She noticed Sharon chewing on a dolls leg, didn't think anything of it and went back to doing chores. Normally the kids play outside, well kids being kids they started running in and out of the house while she was doing chores. Then she heard a scream, well Paul "Sonny" had yanked that doll leg out of Sharon's mouth while running not knowing that her tongue was stuck in that leg. Charlotte was so scared she thought Sonny pulled Sharon's tongue out.... tongue was there, red and hurt like you couldn't imagine. To this day Sharon told Charlotte how bad her tongue hurt.

Paul got his driver’s license at age 16. He washed the family car every weekend so he could get his Sunday paper route. One day he came home early followed by the Frankton police. His parents were upset wondering what was going on, especially his mom. His dad went out to talk to them. Come to find out, Paul didn’t have his driver’s license with him and they thought he was too young to be driving so Paul had to go home and get it…..his mom was relieved.

In 1958 Paul’s family moved to Ogden, Utah where he graduated from high school. In the early 1960’s he met and married his first wife, Colleen (now Gallegos) and they had two sons, Paul Thomas and Jeffery Allen (died October 2014). Soon after his young family moved to California where Paul found himself involved with coaching, assisting or managing his sons’ teams -- baseball, football and the Indian Guides. He also helped them build a go-cart, with Uncle Jim Bowen’s help. To Tom’s recollection parent(s) of other kids said they should have had them built one for their kids!

In the early 1980’s he met Patty “Patsy” Armendariz. Patty remembers Paul telling her that because Patty was shy and quiet he thought he was going to have a heck of time getting Patty to talk on their first date. Well he didn't. Patty had this comfortable easy feeling when she was around him as he did with her. They loved to golf, bowl, camp and spent a lot of time with each other. Traveled to Canada an stopped by Seaside, Oregon to introduce Patty to his mom, sister Barbara and Brother Ronnie. Next visit to Oregon Paul took Patty to meet his sister Charlotte McLaughlin , brother in law Bill, daughter Felicia, sons Mike and Kevin. Paul insisted Patty make Mexican food too. They loved it, especially a bean dip that was easy to make. (Chorizo & beans).

Paul was overwhelmed when he met Patty's family. Patty had 4 brothers (Danny, Michael, Joe and Tony) & 3 sisters (Cathy, Ann and Margaret). They too enjoyed sports. Families grew through the years, weddings & babies so as the families grew there were more picnics at the park for parties (too many to handle at our homes). He enjoyed talking to Joe Armendariz Sr., Patty's dad about sports (not politics) while Amelia Armendariz, Patty's mom was in the kitchen cooking for her family. Paul learned to know, respect and love them all knowing he was hooked on Patty and her family was a big part of her.

In May of 1988 Paul and Patsy were married and soon became parents to Sean Paul Kennedy. Boy was he scared, saying “at my age I’m not sure if I can do this again” but when Sean was born Paul gleamed with joy. He became a Mr. Mom raising Sean while Patty went to work. He experienced everything moms did and couldn’t wait until Patty got home to tell her each exciting new milestone -- baby’s first step, word, etc. Now as Sean grew up he got involved in coaching baseball. Paul also got Sean involved in watching and going to NASCAR races at an early age and keeping stats on all his favorite drivers!

Through the years the neighborhood changed, families moving in and out with children of all ages, but one thing was for sure: the parents knew Paul was home, they loved and trusted him and told their children if there was a problem “Go to Paul”! We have good neighbors even though there are only a few of us left now and the children are now adults.

Armendariz family camping trips were a yearly thing to do at Carpenteria State Beach every June. Michael & Joanne would notify us each year because we'd have to call 6 months in advance. We went from tenting to trailers to a 5th wheel and recently to a motor home … the Kennedy's were there. As close as we were to the ocean you would think Paul would join us on the beach. Well, he didn’t so one year my brother Michael asked Paul if he'd mind using one of his Walkie talkies, Paul said sure and Michael our Beach watch "Braker Braker" nick named Paul "Rocker" & made him our official camp watch. Then the Cell phones came in which made even easier too, so instead of running back to camp family would call Paul to see if someone (especially the kids) were back at camp or to have someone take them supplies (food, beer, soda or water).

One year we took the grandchildren, Amanda and Anthony with us. They loved McDonald's. Paul gave a look to Sean and said ‘NO MCDONALDS”!!! Paul had Patsy teach Amanda how to cook and make everything from chicken strips to fruit salads to hamburgers and hot dogs and they loved it! That week Paul told them stories about their dad, Tom. The one that stuck out in their minds was Tom and his El Camino: he was always getting tickets. Well, Paul had enough and told Tom if he got one more ticket he would be riding his bike. Not long after Paul saw the El Camino pulled over as Tom was trying to duck so Paul wouldn’t see him.

In the 60's Paul managed Pizza Hut which is where he learned to make a variety. Even though Paul left Pizza Hut that did not stop him from making Pizzas.

Paul enjoyed making his pizzas at home for Sean and Patsy, even had Duane and Ellen over for one memorable party. He would also get the pizzas all ready to go and take them to various families. Twice we met friends at Marie Kerr Park Summer concert where Paul hauled the RV just so he could make his pizza's at the park. It was nice that we could enjoy them with our drinks and the music. Soon after parking was limited and RV's not permitted and Palmdale Amphitheater was built. So no more pizza and concert at the park. But we did get to see a Beach boys live concert and Paul just had to have Patsy call her brother Michael to tell him he got Patsy to a Beach boy concert which Michael heard them playing and singing in the background. Paul, Patsy, Sean and friend Sharon Wright had a fun time that day. Amanda recalls the time she asked Grandpa to make pizzas for her birthday. Once one was done, it was gone in no time! He just couldn’t make them fast enough. They were so delicious everyone fought for the last piece. No leftovers at this party!

In June 2013 Paul decided to make his delicious pizzas at Carpentaria on the BBQ with his pizza stone. Another memorable evening with family and friends.

One camping trip Justin remembers was to June Lake. He was 15 at the time. There we met up with my sister Ann, brother-in-law Bill, nephews Cody and Jesse and Bill’s dad Herb and his step mom, Claire. Well I guess Bill and Paul thought Justin was old enough to learn how to drive and taught him stick shift on the dune buggy. Justin also remembers watching March Madness with his Grandpa. He was hooked and watches it every year now! 15 years ago Paul’s system shut down and the doctor told Patty to get ahold of the family, that he may only have days to live. Well, Sean was a small, quiet kid like his dad, but he went running to Paul crying “Dad, you’re going to die”. Paul replied “hell no, who told you that”? For someone who was dying he was pretty strong and pissed off. Paul promised Sean and Patsy that he was going to make it and he had more plans to take us camping and make a lot more memories. He kept his promise, too. Besides Carpenteria, we went to Thornhill Broome (Pt Magu), El Capitan, Refugio, Solvang, Death Valley, a couple of times to Arizona to visit sister Charlotte , Brother in law Bill, Sister Barbara & Sister Sharon who flew in from Indiana. San Diego and Disneyland (which He refused to get on the “it’s a small world” ride because the song would get stuck in his head for days!!!) where other vacation trips we took.

Paul enjoyed doing all the cooking while we camped. The last few years he started making us virgin mimosas and cooking his pizzas on the grill for everyone. The Acton camping trip with Tom’s family just after we bought the motor home, we had full hookups and everything -- still NO INDOOR COOKING ALLOWED! Soooooo Paul and Tom had to put a simple propane BBQ grill together: frustrated, yelling, cursing! A couple of hours later we finally ate!

Paul loved cooking as well as eating, especially Mexican food: enchiladas, tamales, tacos, Joanne’s rice and Patsy's burritos (steak Colorado mixed with potatoes and chorizo which Patsy made one time but Paul had to mix them together). He also clipped new recipes from newspapers and magazines and couldn't wait to try them out on Sean and Patsy before trying them on family gatherings! His baked beans were always a request during the summer parties.

Patsy recalls the chili cheese supper casserole Paul just had to make. Recipe called out for Green chilis. Paul liking spicier food would change the recipe a little, he'd make it with 1/2 green chili & 1/2 jalapeños. One day he grabbed cans thinking 1 was jalapeños other was green chili. NOT. Let's just say it was a hot meal and we still make it with 1/2 Jalapeños !!!!

Paul hated going shopping, but if he saw something at Harbor Freight he was right there. He couldn't wait to show Patty the flyer and talk about what we might need. Paul also had a love of taking pictures of flowers, trees and people. He enjoyed listening to all kinds of music including the Beach Boys, Jimmy Buffet, Carol King to country to Andrea Bocelli to Michael Buble.

On Paul’s 73rd birthday, November 5th, 2013, he was told he had esophageal cancer. I went with him to meet his doctor to discuss his options. I remember the doctor telling him at his age and health his chances weren’t very good. Paul told her he’d be in the percentage that survived. In June of 2014 his doctor told him that surprisingly enough he had made it and the tumor was gone. I remember his look “I told you so”! Now as we got older plans for retirement were just around the corner. His health was declining and he talked more about taking his family back to see where he grew up and a few other sights along the way. Paul, we’re still going to make that trip with you. Right, Sean and Ann?!!　

We love you dad, Paul "Sonny" you'll be truly missed!

Love you always,

Patsy