Let’s Talk

ohn would often say, “Let’s talk about…” or “Tell me about….” John loved people, and if you met with him for lunch, a meeting in the office, or coffee or tea, a zoom meeting, or a telephone meeting, he always wanted to hear what you had to say. People moved him to action; your problems were his problems; your joy was his joy; and he always wanted to talk and hear about what was happening in your life. With that said, he would often tell me, “Lena get to the point and let me decide if I want to hear your long story.” Sometimes, because he was such a matter-of-fact kind of guy, when I met with him, I would have my business in order to avoid wasting his or my time. Despite his “get to the point” nature, John’s life’s experiences gave him empathy, compassion, sensitivity, and understanding. When dealing with the needs of others, he was not always analytical when it came to human needs.

While planning John’s Memorial Celebration of Life, I started thinking about who would speak and give remarks from the various areas of his life. John knew so many people and so many people loved him in their own way for their own reasons that it became overwhelming to decide who would speak. I decided to invite a few individuals and groups to share their relationship with John. I hope that you will see that his life was a master class on how to live and love in service to your community. I pray that you will gain insights into the MAN called John J. Kennedy to some, Johnny to some, Councilmember Kennedy to others, and just JJK or JK to a few.

As the methodical, visionary, and forward thinking individual that he was, in 2015 John wrote this email message to his friends whom he invited to speak at his funeral services. I made an administrative decision to invite three of them to speak; if all of them spoke, his service would have lasted all day.

-------- Original Message --------

Subject: Life

From: “John J. Kennedy”

Date: Fri, May 15, 2015 4:38 pm

To: Nicholas Rodriguez, Jeffrey L. Streator, Jerry Oliver, Rodney Glass, Kevin Mills, Roman Phifer, Bob Davidson, Elonte Vaughn, Reggie Blaylock

My Dear Friend Nick, Jeff, Jerry, Rodney, Kevin, Elonte, Roman, Bob and Reggie

If my time comes from before yours, don’t cry. Buck up and say something. Make sure your remarks are written so you will have had time to contemplate the lies that you will tell about me. Be sure to contact my family so they will have you listed in the program. I guess that is all.

I was just thinking to be a little more deliberate and circumspect after I heard about the plight of another dear friend. …all is fine. Please note, I am aware that the contents of this email are unusual, but just think, you know where I stand with you.

Cordially, John

P.S. I have blind-copied six of my siblings on this note. [Nicholas George Rodriguez is my friend and former boss at the City of Pasadena and my appointee to the RBOC. Jeffrey Lawrence Streator is one of my closest childhood friends. He is a professor at Georgia Tech and pastors a church in Rome, Georgia. Jerry Oliver is my friend and former boss in Richmond, VA, now living in Phoenix, Arizona. Rodney Glass is our old friend, like a brother, from Hammond Street days. His three sons are my god-sons. I have never met his daughter. Kevin is someone who I have mentored over the years to no avail, but still a real friend. His beautiful children are my god-children. Elonte D. Vaughn is a friend, someone who used to work for me in construction whose daughter and son are my god-children. Roman is a new-comer. He is a graduate of UCLA living in his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina with his beautiful family. …a three-time Super Bowl champion; a dumb-maiming-sport. Robert C. Davidson is a respected friend who happens to serve as chairman of the board of Morehouse College and the Pasadena Art Center of Design. Reginald Blaylock is a childhood friend who is a sergeant at the Inglewood Police Department. We are like brothers. His sons, Mychal and Austin are my godsons. ]

Invictus

BY WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY – 1875

Out of the night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pole I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.

Enjoy reading the remarks from many of you.