Dr. Mother Love & Mr. Kennedy Rogers

To Lena and the Kennedy Family, Friends, and Colleagues,

A heartfelt THANK YOU to you for sharing your brother with us. We met John at one of his sister Lena Kennedy’s soirees a few weeks or so after we moved to Pasadena.

That was in the last century, and after that, he was and will always be our dear friend. From the beginning, we all had a close bond. When we were in public, John would in his best voice boom introduce my husband Kennedy and me. Oh, and we sucked it up with a flavor straw. So, in my head, I thought this is going to be so much fun! When I would introduce us, I would say this is my husband Kennedy and my boyfriend Kennedy. The look on people’s faces was priceless as I walked away with two fine men – a Kennedy on my left and a Kennedy on my right. We could hear the loud whispering. It was hilarious!

McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant was one of our favorite watering holes. We would be there for hours (we knew they were trying to hold us hostage, because we were the funniest, loudest table).

One time we were laughing so hard I almost fell off the chair. My two Kennedys first made sure I was OK, then we all started laughing all over again. To accommodate the people who wanted to sit with us, we started moving tables together. We almost got put out that day. When we came back, they remembered us and gave us a booth by the window. Our service guy Frenchy suggested that I be seated on the inside, so I would not fall out of a booth. You know I fell out of the booth, but I still didn’t hit the floor; it was still hilarious!

They understood we were working on our empires – he in politics and we in the infotainment industry. When we stopped going, they closed the restaurant

We could be anywhere: a grocery store, a post office, or City Hall, and be around anybody: the Mayor, the Police Chief, the Fire Chief, or the City Manager, and John carried such a presence wherever he was. He was the epitome of professionalism, grace, and style. You know the brother could dress well even in a jogging suit! When he engaged an audience, he would always break, and let them know we were there.

John Jackson Kennedy, you made our lives brighter and more knowledgeable, and you lifted us in love for God, family, friends, and community. You shared your love with us and your passion for our beautiful Pasadena, California.

His life assignments are done; ours are not yet. Let us continue in the spirit of John Jackson Kennedy by bringing Pasadena citizens and all of us together in love and joy for ourselves and each other.

You’ve done well, Thank you for your footprints of service. May you find peace in the arms of our Lord!

Lovingly, Dr. Mother Love & Mr. Kennedy Rogers

John was a big personality, with a booming voice, a loud laugh and starlight in his eyes. John was fun to be with, listening to his stories about trips he took to places around the world or his visits to the White House. Dinner with John was a joyous and boisterous experience, often followed the next day with a text message quoting scripture.

John was comfortable engaging with the full range of humanity, from the very poor who were sleeping on the street to the richest and most powerful, including the President of the United States.

Phil Hawkey

Nevertheless, he was not tolerant of people who played games and were not sincere. John also had a temper; especially if he saw, what he felt was injustice or mistreatment of people who are on the margins of society.

John was president of NAACP Pasadena/Altadena when I was appointed city manager in 1990 amidst racial controversy. John was demanding in trying to figure out whether I was real and making sure, I was sensitive to the issues of the Black community. He was tough, he was loud, he was smart, and he was not satisfied with only words; he wanted to see action. Through this process of intense assessment and mutual teaching, John and I became friends, respected each other, wrestled with life challenges, and worked every day to try to be a positive force in the world.

I loved my friend John. John brought warmth, insight, passion, and joy to my life.

LOVELY EMAIL MESSAGES RECEIVED:

Dear Lena, I admired John before I met him many years ago. My heart has had a crush of God’s love for John. I feel so honored to call him my friend. Every time I crossed paths with John, he always greeted me with a warm friendly hug and a big smile. What John Kennedy has done for the San Gabriel Valley and beyond will benefit many people years into the future. The indelible Kennedy mark John made will live forever for to all to see. Respectfully,

Dearest John, I’m trying to write about my memories of you, when I’m still in shock that you’re gone. Your loss was so quick and unexpected.