John J Kennedy book sneak peak

John Jackson Kennedy

John Jackson Kennedy

A Master Class in How to Live and Love in Service to Your Community

© 2022 by Lena Louise Kennedy

All

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Kennedy

Names

Community

In Recognition of John Jackson Kennedy’s Book, We acknowledge you…

ank you to the following individuals for your generous support, love, and care in making the production of this book possible. In reading all the remarks submitted, my heart is full, and I am grateful to everyone who submitted comments. I am grateful to the designer, the photographers, my writing, research and editing team – thank you, thank you, thank you – this could not have happened without you! My dear friends who held me up when I needed support to push forward with this project. John’s friends who are the sponsors - you stand without question whenever called upon - your generosity is overwhelming.

SPONSORS:

Teena Hostovich

Ken Hui

Lena Louise Kennedy

La Doris McClaney

Tina McKinnor

Dr. Edna Miller Carolyn and Albert West

Photo Credits:

Alfred Hammond

Foxx Media Group

L. A. Sentinel

Lena Louise Kennedy

Michael Fernandez

Nick Boswell Photography

Pasadena Outlook

Pasadena Star-News

Taylor Fine Portraits

Toni Scott

Contributors:

Rochelle Branch

Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker

Tyesa Denise Morey

Danny Parker

Susana Porras

Tina Rios

Jerry Robin

Jana Stewart

Je rey Streator, Ph.D.

Friends are like precious jewels: valuable, bright, beautiful – and they always make you look good!

Table of Contents

Stomping Grounds in Pasadena . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Parents and Grandparents Family Siblings

Nieces and Nephews Brothers from Another Mother

7

Man of Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Faithful to Community

Faithful to Friends

Faithful to God Willingness to Learn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Academic Institutions

Educators/Teachers

Advisors/Con dants

Becoming John . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Art Connoisseur Businessman

e World through John’s Eyes Community Visionary and Negotiator Philanthropist

What Made Him the Man He Became Mémoire d’Amour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

Political Foes and Allies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 Presidents

Supreme Court Justices U.S. Senators U.S. Congress Governors

California State Senate & Assembly Supervisors

Local Elected O cials Entertainment

Let’s Talk…. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Business Friends City Friends Mentees

Non-Pro t Organizations

Monuments –Remembering the Past

Change Has Got to Come

His Legacy His Vision His Work Continues

Stomping Grounds in Pasadena

Man of Faith

When I was asked (honored) to stand in this place and to eulogize my friend and brother John J. Kennedy, I knew immediately where I wanted to go in e Word; nothing deep or complicated, just a tting testimony for a life well lived! 2 Timothy 4 records Paul’s last words to Timothy who would carry on when Paul was gone. Paul had le his mark on the landscape of the world he lived in and now he had to pass the baton to those who would take up where he le o . But in spite of everything that he had accomplished, he knew that he had gone as far as he could go…

• In verse (5) 6 Paul says… ( READ! NIV )

• John may have felt the same way…slowly weaker

• People noticed also / not as talkative, strong…

• But he could say like Paul…

• I FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT!!!

• John fought for others- the community, people!

• A voice for the voiceless, strong for the weak!

• Showed others how to ght for themselves!

• Fought his own personal struggles / sickness

• Su ered in silence, not wanting others to know

• I HAVE FINISHED THE RACE!!!

• We admired his endurance and cheered him on, but none of us can run forever!

• John nished his leg… but the race goes on!

• All we can hope for is to run well: John ran well!

• Like A Relay - he’s just passed the baton!

• Hebrews 12:1-2 “Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let US run with patience the race that is set before us; looking unto Jesus, the author and nisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, bearing the shame, AND NOW he is seated at the right Hand of e rone of God!”

• Sometimes you have to go through it to get to it!

• I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH!

• In spite of the setbacks / the let downs / the struggles / the pain / the sickness / everything!

• John kept his faith in Jesus!

• “And let us not be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap a harvest if we don’t give up!”

• “AND NOW, there is laid up for me e Crown of Righteousness, which e Lord, e Righteous Judge shall give me on that day - and not only to me, but to all those who long for His appearing!”

– Pastor Lucious Smith

Wi ingness to Learn

Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.

– Booker T. Washington

– John Wooden

Becoming John

Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.

Mémoire d’Amour

Political Foes and A ies

I am in politics because of the con ict between good and evil, and I believe that in the end good will triumph.

– Margaret atcher

ALL MY LIFE I HAVE FOUGHT FOR FAIRNESS

“All my life I have fought for fairness. It is a character trait instilled in me by my late father, omas Foster Kennedy. He rose from humble beginnings and at a time in our nation’s history when African-American men where denied the opportunity to serve our country, he did – with honor and distinction. My Dad was a highly decorated, combat wounded, Veteran of the Second World War in the Paci c eater. He returned home from the war and settled in Pasadena. I am one of his 10 children. He always reminded my brothers and sisters that ours was an honorable family name and to always carry ourselves with humility and dignity. He also taught us love of country and to cherish the principles of fairness upon which America was founded.

“I have embarked upon this campaign to represent you at City Hall as I uphold my family’s legacy of service to our country and our community. But I can’t do it alone, I need your support and most of all your vote.”

– John J. Kennedy

Let’s Talk…

DEAR JOHN Pasadena City Councilman John J. Kennedy

On that summer’s day I had no idea it would be the last time I’d gaze upon your radiant face

You stood at the podium

A statesman, stalwart and strong e day, sunny and bright airbrushed your brow with amber and gold

A touch of starlight

Your eyes smiled upon us as lovingly as a father smiles upon his children

If I’d known that day would be our nal farewell, perhaps I would’ve said to you something more heartfelt, more profound

Or perhaps, I would’ve hung around longer to linger in your glow

Now I recall all you did to help our community to prosper and grow

You led us on a sojourn to Senegal rough the Door of No Return

You brought Senegal to us

To dwell within our hearts

You taught us to reach beyond barriers at blocked pathways to higher ground

Now tears fall from my eyes

But I’ll always be inspired by your wisdom and wit, your courage and faith

We’ll miss you, John Sail on, my brother Sail on.

– Hazel Clayton Harrison, Author

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