Danny J. Bakewell, Jr.

branch election rectified so that John could assume his rightful role as the branch’s President.

From that point on John and I have shared a friendship, a brotherhood that has impacted my life from then until now.

John had a big voice, a big personality, but more than anything John had a big heart. A heart filled with compassion, a heart filled with love, a heart filled with an unwavering commitment for a better Pasadena.

John was my friend; John was my brother. We shared so many great memories, so many private conversations about family, about friends about business and about helping others. He has influenced my life in so many ways and I will miss him more than words can say.

On July 21, God called John home, but his impact on my life, on our community and on the lives of Black people and those less fortunate in Pasadena will live on forever.

I first met John in the late 1980’s when he launched his bid to become the President of the Pasadena NAACP. A race that was highly controversial and contested and John and I had to fly to New York to the NAACP National Convention in order to have the injustice of the

Together we worked for a better and more diverse Pasadena. John was a leader in the fight to diversify the Tournament of Roses, John was a leader in the fight for police reform, John advocated for jobs and business opportunities for Black People in Pasadena, and together we worked to bring more services and opportunities to the city and the community he loved.

Bless You, My Friend.

David Cutter

My name is David Cutter and I met John in 2012 on my front porch when he was knocking on doors for his first District 3 Council election. I was a fellow Pasadena resident, constituent and then finally, I would like to think, colleague in city government.

During that first meeting, we spent 30 minutes on my porch talking about the environmental activism in Pasadena. I told him about the hundreds of people involved and our many public education projects. I invited him to come to some of our events and he did. I was pleasantly surprised to hear him taking up our zero waste language at a candidate forum soon after.

I met with him several times in his capacity as Councilmember. We met on getting the City to adopt a “100% renewable energy by 2030” stance, the depletion of the Raymond Basin water level and even the hosting of a second International Rachmaninoff Piano Competition. John was always ready to see possibilities.

I learned things about being a businessman from John that helped me stay in business during these difficult years.

I think John really grew as a Councilmember. He did care about the community and wanted the best for it and us. I was happy to be able to support his re-election campaign by playing piano at his election events.

I was honored that he appointed me to represent him and District 3 on the Environmental Advisory Commission.

I think I was able to keep him informed and ready to push for what was best for the community. I felt that he trusted me enough to ask for my opinion on the Pasadena City Council as well as personal matters.

LOVELY EMAIL MESSAGES RECEIVED:

Lena, Although my grief cannot compare with yours and that of his other family, I too was heartbroken. John was such an incredible human with a real love for others. More than that, he was a staunch fighter for justice, especially those moat vulnerable. He leaves a beautiful legacy, but of course that does not make up for his loss.

Please accept my heartfelt sympathy. I have been thinking of you and the pain you must be feeling. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Anne Miskey

Denise Houlemard Jones

The Kennedy and Houlemard families are large families who have resided in Pasadena for well over a half of a century. I got to know John well at the time of his application for a scholarship from my sorority when I was the committee chairperson. No applicant, before or since, had so many extra documents to hand deliver. He impressed me as a determined, tenacious, committed person with a big personality. Upon receipt of the award, Mr. Kennedy revealed to me that he had a crush on me, which was both complimentary and embarrassing.

After he completed his education, we worked on numerous community projects and I realized that my initial impression of John was correct. I was amazed by his dedication to family and his generosity towards improving the lives of Pasadenans.

John Kennedy was a good man who was devoted to the Lord. John always made me feel special and always responded positively to my requests. In May, John called to apologize that he had a tough day and was unable to attend my father’s funeral. Even with John not feeling well, his concern was with others. My last time to see John was at the West Walnut event; our photo was taken as he hugged me, turned to my husband, and said “Please take care of my girl.” I thank John for all that he was, all that he accomplished, and especially for our friendship. He was awesome.

Dr. Dorothy Vails Weber

“He is our hope.” This is the statement of one man who lives in Councilmember John Kennedy’s district. As I called persons on the list that I was given to get them to the polls to vote, I soon learned that the people in Councilmember Kennedy’s district knew who he was. He was their hope for a better today and tomorrow. He was their hope for social justice, for housing for the homeless, for safe streets, and for food and shelter. They had taken his measure, and they knew that Councilmember Kennedy would be the voice for the voiceless and hope for those who never dared to hope.

“Councilman Kennedy would quickly respond when you called him.”

“He was our councilman, and we knew it.”

“He is not some guy running for a position, he is the position.”

These are the quotes from people who live in District 3. Those of us who knew the Honorable John J. Kennedy knew that he was a “servant leader.” He gave of himself tirelessly.

There are many writers who wrote on the topic, “The Measure of a Man.” Martin Luther King, Jr. penned

“Do the difficult things while they are easy and the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. I slept and dreamed that life was joy. I woke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.”

I used to spend summers as a young boy in Pasadena with my Father who was employed by the City of Pasadena Sanitation Department. My mother and father, separated and I resided in Los Angeles a majority of the time with my mother. For a brief time I attended Lincoln Avenue Elementary School in Pasadena, however I did not like it and my father returned me to live with my mother. I was happy about that because my father stayed in a rundown one-bedroom apartment complex on Hammond Street given the nickname “Heartbreak Hotel!” Spending summers with my father were extremely boring for several years because I was very shy and there were not many kids in the neighborhood. That all changed when I ventured up to the opposite end of Hammond Street and met the Kennedy family. I believe I was 14 or 15 years old.

Dennis Love

My first recollection of the family was when I observed two beautiful baby twin girls peering out from behind the curtain looking at me. It always made me smile when I saw them. However, one day I saw the most beautiful girl I had ever encountered in my young life in the front yard, and I was hopelessly smitten. That girl was the oldest sibling Geraldine Kennedy. As I continued to find reasons to walk by the Kennedy house to see Geraldine, I begin to witness other members of the family. Geraldine eventually became my “first love” and the family embraced me as their “big brother”.

John Kennedy was the youngest of the three boys and was the most mischievous to me. Geraldine and I would usually sit on the front porch of the Kennedy home every evening and sneak kisses. There was this big tree in the front yard and John would always be playing in it. A majority of the time there was a great deal of growth on the tree and he was not visible. Late one evening Geraldine and I were on the front porch and heard this rustling. To our amazement, John fell out the tree, jumped right up with the biggest mischievous grin, and ran into the house!

I eventually disconnected from Geraldine and the Kennedy family after I graduated from college. However, I remained in contact with Lena, and their Mother was wonderful to me and always treated me like a member of the family. I followed John’s career from afar and I was truly amazed at all his accomplishments and achievements. His growth and maturity was truly amazing from that young boy I first met, to the worldly intelligent man he had become! I know his Mother is also extremely proud of him as he prepares to join her. RIP John J. Kennedy!

Thank you for allowing me to contribute to John’s memorial. It means a lot to me.

LOVELY EMAIL MESSAGES RECEIVED:

Oh Lena – I am so shocked and deeply saddened by the news I just saw! How can John have died? Such a strong, vibrant and passionate person – so full of life! I thought of you immediately. I am so, so sorry and send you and all the family my most sincere condolences. All at Pasadena Heritage join me in expressing our grief and sympathy.

Sue Mossman

John and I had a family love connection of the heart and soul. I was walking with his assistant on the way to the Harambi “Motown” finale at McKinley School. When he called, she told him that she was walking with Dominique Bailey. John immediately said, “She is one of my favorite people!” John is one of my favorite people!

John came into the Bailey Family as a teenager when my late husband Albert Bailey, Jr. was in charge of

Dominique Bailey

the Youth Department at Metropolitan Baptist Church. He recognized John’s anointed gifts and he advised, and supported John until he transitioned in 2015.

My strong bond with John got stronger. He was consistently checking on the well-being of my sons and me. John continued, as before, to invite me to his special events. He was clearly happy to see me and disappointed if I could not attend.

God sealed our heart and soul connection in January 2022 as we both grieved the loss of family members and friends. We had several long discussions about life and death and our purpose on earth. How God, our strength and provider, has given us an assignment to complete. We started texting scriptures, spiritual encouragements and gospel songs to each other.

Dr. Edna Miller EDPsy

I am Dr. Edna Miller EDPsy, and my son is Justin Miller. Justin and I have known John for eight years.

We met John through Mr. Russ Werden who afforded me an amazing “movie script” opportunity for the world to know my story, which depicts an act of courageousness and “one woman’s stance” that ultimately changed California law. John was intrigued by my life’s story that led to a Supreme Court Decision. We became close family friends thereafter.

John was family to both me and my son; our soldier; an older brother even though he was only five months older than me. We always prayed through text messaging, oftentimes daily for seven years straight. John was a lifetime family friend. John made everlasting changes with affordable, nice clean housing. He wanted EVERYONE to live well. John and I earned one another’s trust over the years. We confided in each other, we enjoyed laughter, we enjoyed lunch at the Country Club, and most of all we enjoyed Christ.

He fought for justice and equality. He was our ROCK! John’s amazing strength and courage gave me strength and courage. And in turn, I gave him strength and courage back.

John would take time out of his busyness to text me. Most of the time his texts came early mornings while on his walks – even when he made trips to China, Paris, and Washington, D.C. He would text “How are you?” I felt privileged and enjoyed his kindness. He is forever in our hearts!

My husband and I have been abundantly blessed by having John as a supportive, kind, and thoughtful

Eleanor and Cornelius Lee

information and I noticed there was no heating on the porch. It was a very cold day in early January 2013. When I returned home, I asked my husband to take one of our portable heaters to Lena who was facilitating the volunteer event. Her response was genuine appreciation. That was the beginning of our enduring friendship and working relationship.

at the main library in Pasadena; and many, many more memories we will now have to cherish.

friend in our lives since 2012. We are close neighbors with our houses less than 200 feet apart in distance. We have shared many, many events and memorable occasions together. On our daily walks, we would pass by John’s beautiful home. It was always such a pleasure to know he was just across the street.

The first time we connected was when he was initially campaigning for councilman for the 3rd District. One Saturday, I had stepped across the street to deliver some

John was always so very pleasant and warm whenever we would encounter one another. There were many times when John would invite us to very memorable events – Urban League Gala with a private reception to meet Secretary of State Colin Powell; an exclusive luncheon at Flemings Restaurant to honor the Senegalese Delegation as our new sister city; election celebrations; the wonderful annual Christmas celebration that was held

John was also very respectful and honorable to my aunt who is now 103 years old and will turn 104 on September 22. By the way, my aunt plans to attend the Celebration of Life on September 30. I am so happy to have received and saved so much encouraging correspondence from John. On a weekly basis, John would text or email us blessed words to live by. Enjoy your earned reward in Heaven as you sit before our Father God’s throne. Our only sadness is we wish we would have had more time to have you enrich our lives.

God’s Love and Richest Blessings, Cornelius and Eleanor Lee

LOVELY EMAIL MESSAGES RECEIVED: Dear

Lena,

Know that my children and I share with you the sadness, the sorrow and the distress concerning the death of John. I met with John in 2015 in Paris. Since that time, we have become a family. He first invited my son Oren to Pasadena in January 2015. Then he received us in Pasadena my four children and I. While I was working abroad, John came to France and spent time with my children. John was a friend, a brother, a family. He often said to me this “ALL YOUR CHILDREN ARE LIKE

MY OWN CHILDREN”

“they will take care of me when I will be old.” So he left without giving them time to take care of him. His death leaves a great void, a lot of sadness in my family. We are wholeheartedly with you in this ordeal. – Rose Bakang