Savannah and Christopher Morey

Sometimes you have to close a door to open a window. That’s what my uncle Johnny taught me by always finding a way, even when there was no way. He was also a hardworking man. He was so hardworking that his work, like the pool at Robinson Park Recreation Center, continues in progress. He worked so hard to make it happen for our community. They denied him at first, but he still found a way because hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.

I remember when my brother and I were little, my uncle would give us a two-dollar bill or even a twen ty-dollar bill. At that young age, we thought it was so much, and it gave us such joy. Those wonderful times with my uncle are now just a memory – a memory that I will never forget and that reminds me to appreciate the little things in life and hold them close to your heart. Uncle Johnny, I will always remember you and hold those memories close to my heart. Why did you have to leave us so soon?

Savannah Morey, age 13

Uncle Johnny was an interesting man. He enjoyed traveling and going to foreign places as well as helping people in his community. He made great progress for the Black community of Pasadena within District 3 and beyond. One of the products of the achievements made by Uncle Johnny was the monuments named ‘Remembering our Past.” These monuments were stone tablets engraved with the history of the Black, Latino and Asian communities within Pasadena.

My personal experiences with Uncle Johnny were always great. Whenever I had time to talk with him, we would always talk about the places he had been, my future as a student, and what schools I wanted to attend. We would also talk about politics and our own successes within our fields of interest (I ran a campaign in my quest to hold an office at my school.). When I would visit my Uncle Johnny, he would always encourage me to read, and he would give me books about subjects he thought I needed to learn from his impressive library. Some of the books he gave me were The Pocket Book of Patriotism by Jonathan Foreman and Discovering Black America by Linda Tarrant-Reid.

I am so happy that I was able to help him with his reelection campaign and volunteer in setting up for his holiday parties as well as helping with the turkey giveaways. When you really talked to Uncle Johnny you could tell he really loved what he did; I could tell that helping District 3 was really his passion and one of his major goals.

I am proud to have his memory and work live on in my life and this community.

Christopher Morey, age 14

Uncle Johnny was a constant and consistent presence throughout my life. Time is the most precious thing that a person can offer, and he always made sure that he gave his time to me. I can vividly remember early in my young life when my Uncle Johnny took me, many of my older cousins, and our extended Glass family to Disneyland. He chaperoned at least six of us, all on his own as a young man, and let us run around Disneyland as if we owned the place.

Jonathan and Kari Kennedy

his colleagues, I eavesdropped to learn jewels of what I like to call the “game.”

Uncle Johnny made sure that I knew my own value, and he did not accept mediocrity from me. When I was proud of a grade point average, he was not, and though I did not realize it at the time, it encouraged me to strive for better, which I did. I hung on his coattails as he took me to USC football games when they were winning national championships. As I rubbed shoulders with

My mother shared a special relationship with Uncle Johnny, and by extension, I jealously strived to create my own. When my mother took me and a high school buddy of mine to President Obama’s first inauguration, I remember finishing lunch at the now closed B. Smith’s Restaurant at the Washington, D.C. Railroad Station. My friend and I then followed Uncle Johnny to get the car and bring it around so we could pick up my mother as she finished some business. As we rode in the car, Uncle Johnny started blasting hip hop music on the radio just the way I liked it, and he started driving those Washington, D.C. streets just as he remembered it from when he lived there. I can remember that my older cousin Julian told me how fun it was to live with Uncle Johnny when he lived in Richmond, VA. In that moment, I experienced a little of that same joy when I rode shotgun in that front passenger seat.

When I got married, I started to see a softer side of Uncle Johnny. He immediately welcomed my wife Kari into the family, and she received the Kennedy treatment.

He always made Kari and her family feel welcomed whenever they visited Pasadena. I can vividly remember watching Uncle Johnny dancing with Kari’s mother during our Pasadena wedding reception and smiling as he twirled and dipped her on the dance floor.

We will always remember Uncle Johnny as a person who made everyone feel welcomed. He could cut a mean dance step on that dance floor as he grooved with his signature smile. He was always well-dressed in his pin-striped suit, dapper hat (mimic of his older brother Michael), polished shoes, and tailored shirt with stylish cufflinks.

One of the last interactions my wife Kari and I had with Uncle Johnny was during June of this year when he voiced how he wanted us to love and cherish each other. I love you forever!!

Your loving nephew and your niece, Kari and Jonathan Kennedy

Michael Solomon Kennedy

Uncle, I am so proud of you. No matter how often it’s said, it never feels as if it’s enough. I am proud of you, and I love you – we all do.

Johnny was an instrument designed with purpose – God’s purpose. He exuded charisma, epitomized integrity, and loved people of all walks – especially those in need or broken. Ever since I was young, I can remember Uncle Johnny instilling in me principles of spreading love, commanding and giving respect, standing tall, carrying oneself with dignity, communicating clearly, and striving for greatness. For him it was more than just words, Johnny embodied these attributes and put them on display for the world to see and for others to replicate if they so choose. He imbued a magnetic energy so much that no matter where he was in a room you could feel his presence (or at the very least hear him). It made no difference to him if you were down on your luck, seeking employment, a multi-millionaire, or the President of the United States, Johnny greeted you with an endearing smile that reached from ear to ear and a hug so tight you’d need to see a chiropractor the next day. His handshakes were no different. He was just that type of welcoming and loving man.

I imagine my time and experiences with Johnny were likely not too dissimilar for yours that either took place at an event or gathering, via a quick phone call or text, or perhaps his favorite – over a meal. There wasn’t a meal that Johnny would turn down nor a walk before or after. He’d say life is about balance after all. I’ll illustrate with a message Johnny shared with me: “Michael, I walked five miles today. I cooked my butt off this evening: baked a highly seasoned salmon, candied yams, sweet potatoes, carrots, and candied pecans, broccoli with red bell pepper, sauteed mushrooms with green onions and shallots, spinach onion, rose potatoes, and buttery croissants. The food was so good I felt like slapping myself!” It sounds a lot like The Very Hungry Caterpillar, if you ask me – or just good ol’ John Kennedy.

His gifts were bountiful and included mentorship; song and praise; a focus on strengthening communities, particularly Pasadena where he and his family have been a cornerstone to the city for over 80 years; and an incredible ability to bring people together. It wasn’t uncommon for Johnny to send me a bio of someone he recently met to explore a networking opportunity or inquire about career opportunities as he aided others. He was a connector of individuals and unifier of the community. His altruistic behavior, focus on betterment, and pure grit positioned him as a humble public servant of Pasadena for nearly the last decade. Beyond his tenure in public office and decorated accomplishments, he focused less on the achievement and more on the outcome. I saw firsthand how my uncle influenced change from a grassroots perspective by engaging with the local community of Pasadena, knocking on doors to understand important issues, promoting change, and earning votes by listening. My microcosm of equality, civil rights, and government was expanded with each interaction with my uncle as he was emblematic of social change through action.

Occasionally checking in on my health and gingerly inquiring about my weight, Johnny texted me one evening with, “Do you weigh 250 pounds?” I responded with, “a cool 245, uncle” to which he’d replied, “STRONG OAK! I’m so happy you are my nephew.” I smiled. To describe Johnny as effusive would be an understatement. Spewing words of affirmation and positivity came naturally for him. He’d often say to me, “Go to the top, you’ll be CEO one day!” “You are a special man in my life, my strong, brilliant and kind nephew.” “Beckham is a powerhouse!” when referring to my son, or “Stay close to your brother David.” His messages were always timely and delivered with the right amount of potency to fuel and motivate me.

Now, you can’t describe Johnny without the inclusion of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. There are those that read the Word and those that live it; Johnny indisputably did both. As a devout Christian, he routinely shared scripture with me. I’m moved and compelled to share one of his last messages to me where he referenced Hebrews 1:9: “Therefore God…has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”

His remarks continued by stating the following: “Gladness. My heart is so very glad. Gladness is where my joy and deep contentment meet. It is the point at which I feel all is truly well and I am secure and loved, today and always. Gladness is the song of my heart, helping me move in easy rhythm with life. It is feeling the presence of god within and all around me, a blessing that makes the whole world shimmer with possibility and promise. Today I am inspired, and my heart is glad. A merry tune springs forth in my heart, happy memories are sparked, and the natural music of the birds brings a smile to my face. The joy of the Lord – the ruling state of my consciousness – blossoms within my soul. For this and so much more, I am overflowing with quiet joy and gladness.”

When I think of Uncle Johnny, I think of an advocate for civility and minority empowerment. I think of his gregariousness and how his energy was always additive. His booming laughter would transcend the room. I think of a man who elevated the political realm and had a commensurate wardrobe (you know this man had style, right!). But most of all, I think of his compassion for others, his commitment to Christ, his love for his family, and his heart of gold. I am proud of you uncle, and I love you – we all do.

Michael “Mikie” Kennedy, Jr. – Your proud nephew

I am not a big talker, but I want everyone to know how much John J. Kennedy helped people, how many people who were not blood family that considered him their Uncle John. I happen to be blessed to be a bloodline nephew as my father was BIG Mike, Uncle Johnny’s big brother.

Uncle Johnny was always straightforward. He treated the janitor with the same respect as the president – that was the character of the man named John – every person was of value. He allowed you to be yourself in his presence, but did not allow negativity and would not speak negativity only positive encouragement. He instead would just offer prayer and positive words of encouragement whatever the situation was that was before you.

He opened the doors of the City of Pasadena and welcomed everyone – he would say, “City Hall is home of the people, you are always welcome”. While often we see people in positions of power move away from their community and city, my uncle moved to the heart of his hometown, Pasadena and he stayed grounded and humble. I love you Uncle Johnny for being an example to a young brother. You taught me so much just being in your presence was a master class – I enjoyed our times together!