Obituary for Jimmie Hugh Kennedy
Jimmie Hugh Kennedy, age 88, died on Sunday, January 19, 2020, with his family by his side.
He was born in Success, Arkansas on July 18, 1931, the son of Joseph Earl Kennedy and Hattye (Spencer) Kennedy. He married JoAnn (Hansen) Kennedy on May 28, 1956. Jim proudly served in the US Army and National Guard. He was Manager of the Ann Arbor Municipal Garage and Motor Pool, as well as the first Manager of the AATA.
He retired from Washtenaw Intermediate School District, where he was the Facilities Manager for High Point School. After he retired, he worked several years, for photographer Phil Borkowski, assisting him with his art and photography. He was a lifelong member of the Loyal Order of the Moose and the Washtenaw County Law Enforcement Association.
Jim had many hobbies. In his younger days, he had a passion for racing cars. In later years, he was a regular at many Michigan race tracks, and was part of the pit crew for his son’s race car. Both raced with the number 45. In addition to working on cars, Jim enjoyed deer hunting. Every November, he would head to “Deer Camp” with his son and many other friends. When he wasn’t at the race track or hunting, he was building models, doing puzzles, crosswords, or spending time with his grandkids teaching them about guns, cars, birds, flowers, trees and life. He also went to Uptown Coney Island on Jackson Ave. every day to see his friends.
Jim is survived by his three children, Jimmie R. (Susan) Kennedy of Pinckney, MI, Jody L. Little of Traverse City, MI and Jan M. (Anthony) Romero of Ann Arbor, MI; five grandchildren, Christopher and Katie Little, Lucas, Maria and Juliana Romero; and many nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by his brother, Joseph “Jay” Earl Kennedy; and sisters, Loretta Devern Springer and Winifred Roberta Ganley.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, February 29, 2020 from 10am until the celebration of life at 11am at Nie Family Funeral Home; 3767 W. Liberty Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his honor to Arbor Hospice, 2366 Oak Valley Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48103, or arborhospice.org.
He was born in Success, Arkansas on July 18, 1931, the son of Joseph Earl Kennedy and Hattye (Spencer) Kennedy. He married JoAnn (Hansen) Kennedy on May 28, 1956. Jim proudly served in the US Army and National Guard. He was Manager of the Ann Arbor Municipal Garage and Motor Pool, as well as the first Manager of the AATA.
He retired from Washtenaw Intermediate School District, where he was the Facilities Manager for High Point School. After he retired, he worked several years, for photographer Phil Borkowski, assisting him with his art and photography. He was a lifelong member of the Loyal Order of the Moose and the Washtenaw County Law Enforcement Association.
Jim had many hobbies. In his younger days, he had a passion for racing cars. In later years, he was a regular at many Michigan race tracks, and was part of the pit crew for his son’s race car. Both raced with the number 45. In addition to working on cars, Jim enjoyed deer hunting. Every November, he would head to “Deer Camp” with his son and many other friends. When he wasn’t at the race track or hunting, he was building models, doing puzzles, crosswords, or spending time with his grandkids teaching them about guns, cars, birds, flowers, trees and life. He also went to Uptown Coney Island on Jackson Ave. every day to see his friends.
Jim is survived by his three children, Jimmie R. (Susan) Kennedy of Pinckney, MI, Jody L. Little of Traverse City, MI and Jan M. (Anthony) Romero of Ann Arbor, MI; five grandchildren, Christopher and Katie Little, Lucas, Maria and Juliana Romero; and many nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by his brother, Joseph “Jay” Earl Kennedy; and sisters, Loretta Devern Springer and Winifred Roberta Ganley.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, February 29, 2020 from 10am until the celebration of life at 11am at Nie Family Funeral Home; 3767 W. Liberty Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his honor to Arbor Hospice, 2366 Oak Valley Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48103, or arborhospice.org.