Earl Serene Kennedy

Earl Serene Kennedy passed away March 29, 2012 after a long hard fight with Alzheimer’s Dementia. Earl is survived by his wife, Mary Evelyn Matlock Kennedy, of 68 years. Mary and Earl were married in Port Archer, Washington on November 6, 1943. He is also survived by a son Marvin Wayne; brother Elmer Lee; four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded by daughter Sherry Marlene, his parents Harry Serene and Lottie Mancey, and three brothers David Emerson, James Perry, and Clifford Scott (BoBo) Kennedy.

Earl was born July 5, 1922 on a Railroad Siding in Baldwin, Texas. He moved to San Angelo in 1930. Earl and his family were hard working and survived the Great Depression. Earl attended Lake View schools and completed the ninth grade. He went to work for Chink Taylor delivering kerosene to the rural parts of the Concho Valley. Earl knew every back road and path in this area. When the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred, Earl joined the Navy. He was assigned to the USS California in Brimington, Washington where it was being repaired after she was sunk at Pearl Harbor.

Earl was a .50 caliber starboard gunner’s mate and obtained the rank of Seaman First Class. The California proudly served in the U.S. 7th Fleet under the command of Admiral Bull Halsey. The ship’s Captain commanded the California and her crew at every major battle and landing during WWII in the Pacific until she was anchored in the Tokyo Harbor and the Peace Treaty was signed. Earl was honorably discharged from the Navy on December 13, 1945. Earl came home and went to work for Banner Dairy, where he worked until July 1951. He was employed by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and retired from there after 33 years. Earl served Goodyear in many capacities as driver, shift supervisor, road mechanic, and fulltime foreman of all three shifts. Earl was on the construction crew that built the Proving Grounds. After his retirement from Goodyear, Mary and Earl traveled the country by R.V. for many years and then moved back to San Angelo in 1999. The dementia of Alzheimer’s was showing its effects.

Earl has lived at Cedar Manor Special Unit since December of 2006, where he has battled the effects of his disease. The caring staff of Cedar Manor gave Earl the best care possible. He succumbed to Alzheimer’s on March 29, 2012.

Family visitation will be Sunday, April 1, 2012 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Johnson’s Funeral Home. Graveside service will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 2, 2012 at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens with Army Chaplain Capt. Owen Vazquez officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Alzheimer’s Association of San Angelo.

Family and friends may sign the online register book at www.johnsons-funeralhome.com.