Calvin F. Kennedy

Calvin F. Kennedy passed away on Aug. 28, 2016 at his home, surrounded by his loving wife and daughters. He was born on Dec. 7, 1933 in Russellville, Arkansas to Calvin E. and Vida Mae (Williams) Kennedy. He was proceeded in death by his parents, one brother Veryl Kennedy, and one sister, Inez Kennedy-Kristensen and two grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Carole (Bellar) Kennedy as well as his 3 daughters Kim Kennedy, Cara Kennedy, and Julie Kennedy-Bradbury along with 10 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Calvin also has 3 brothers, Lowell (Norma) Kennedy, Jim (Connie) Kennedy, and Ken (Emma) Kennedy as well as 23 nieces and nephews, 18 great-nieces and nephews and 7 great-great nieces and nephews. He also has a brother and sister in law, Richard and Judy (Bellar) Warren of Longmont, CO.

Calvin attended La Junta High School where he met the love of his life, Carole. They were married on July 22, 1956 at the First Christian Church Disciples of Christ in La Junta. From there, Calvin proceeded to enjoy the beginning of several professions in his life. He worked in La Junta as a police officer and graduated from Otero Junior College in 1954. After he graduated from Western State College in 1958, he taught one year in New Mexico and then he taught at the La Junta High School for 5 years. Throughout the rest of his life he taught and substituted at many schools in Colorado and Oklahoma.

Calvin joined the Army in 1963 where he served in two combat tours. The first tour was with the 25th Infantry Division and is when he received his Purple Heart. The second tour was with 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam as Commander of Camp Campbell. Calvin also received 2 Bronze Stars, 6 medals and various other awards and decorations and retired as a Captain in the United States Army.

In 1974, Calvin graduated from the Seminary at Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma with a Masters in Divinity. After he graduated he pastored in many churches to include Mannford, OK. Billings, OK, Anadarko, OK, Trinidad, CO, Las Animas, CO, and Raton, NM and would fill in at many other churches that needed a temporary minister.

Out of all the professions Calvin had, he always said that his greatest love and calling was to serve the Lord. He said he has ministered, counseled and served God's people for most of his life and that it was the most satisfying thing he could have ever done.

Calvin has now joined his Father in Heaven. Although he will be greatly missed by his family and friends, everyone knows that Calvin has been greeted with open arms into Heaven by God, Jesus and all Calvin's family members who have proceeded him. God can now say, "Welcome home and well done my good and faithful servant".

Funeral service will be Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016, at 10:45 a.m. at the First Church of the Nazarene, 10th & Topeka in La Junta with Reverend Gordon Smith officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Fairview Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, Sept. 2, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Peacock Memorial Chapel.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Arkansas Valley Hospice Assoc., P.O. Box 408, La Junta, CO, 81050 direct or through the funeral home.

Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.