Rose Bakang Family

I met John December 18, 2015, at the restaurant Le Fouquet’s, on the Champs Elysée in Paris.

After shopping, my son Oren and I were having lunch at Le Fouquet’s and sitting right next to us was John who was nicely smiling at us from time to time. John in his friendly way starting to talk to my son Oren, they spoke about his life and his family. We were a bit surprised at the beginning because this is not something French people use to do in restaurant, but John was so friendly with an easy, caring and nice way with my son and me and the discussion was very pleasant. I also exchanged few words with him, but at this moment John and my son could not stop talking to each other. When leaving the restaurant, the moment to say goodbye, John gave Oren his business card and Oren gave John his phone number to stay in touch. Since that moment, John never left us and we became close friends, then a family. He told me “of all the encounters he had on his travels, we were the most beautiful thing that ever happened to him”.

In January 2016 he invited my son Oren to visit him in Pasadena. He treated Oren like his son; he made him meet his family, his friends, his coworkers, his relations. Oren remembers how much people John knew and especially loved John. Everywhere John was going, he knew someone, someone knew him, and he was always spreading out his kindness.

A few months later, in September 2016, John invited my whole family to Pasadena and we spent two amazing weeks with him. Again, he treated my children as his children, he was so kind.

In June 2017, John came to France; he met again with my children. I was not in France, but they spent moments as family.

In January 2018, Oren and my daughter Jeanne went to visit New York City. They told John who immediately said he wanted to be here for them, so he booked a ticket to New York City to meet them. He said, there was no chance they could step foot in the US without seeing him. Therefore, we were there, caring on with us again as always.

A year after, in January 2019, John came back to France with an invitation of the mayor of our town Val De Reuil that my daughter Jeanne requested, to introduce John to our mayor and build some projects together.

John always said to me “Rose, I love you and your children, they are like my own, they will take care of me when I am old”. However, John did not give them time to take care of him. He always thanked me for raising my children well.

John called me, “My Queen! My beautiful French Lady! My friend! My sister!”

I was all of this for him, and he was my King, my brother, my friend!

He gave me the white necklace I am wearing in the photo outside his house in Pasadena. He told me that in some African customs, only queens wear this necklace.

John was so amazing that when he found out I was a single parent, taking care of my children’s education alone, he offered to adopt Oren, the third of my children. He wanted Oren to come to continue his studies at his home in California. I thought it was very generous but for many reasons I could not accept his proposal. John was generous, endearing, loving man...

He was happy when he was with us. He felt like home. He always sent birthday messages to the boys until this year. Oren’s birthday was July 22, and he did not receive his traditional message. Moreover, towards the end of the day, we were informed of his death.hn, we love you as you loved us. We will always remain your family and we will come to visit you whenever God allows us. Go in peace and may the God you loved so much keep your soul by his side.

Katy Townsend

John, On December 15, 2020, I emailed you the following text message just because I was thinking about how blessed my life has been because of you:

“You have impacted my life because I have been fortunate to be in your presence on several occasions. You are such a humble man. There was an event at your home attended by Valerie Jarrett the Senior Advisor to President Obama, which I was delighted to attend. I also had the opportunity to be a volunteer at your home when you hosted the late Elijah Cummings’ reception, as well as the Vice President Biden event. There have been so many dignitaries I have met because of you, and my life has been enriched. As a local business owner of a beauty salon, I am blessed beyond measure. Because of you, I was honored to be among such national and local dignitaries, whom I otherwise would have never met. Opportunities you have afforded me I will never forget. You did so much for the community. You allowed me to participate in many community events, such as your annual turkey give away and your annual beautiful holiday party at the Pasadena Central Library for the youth and community. I appreciate your leadership in District 3 and beyond. You are a great person.”

You responded to my text with this message:

“Wow! You are extremely kind. I just hope I will have the time to positively impact, and possibly transform, millions of lives for better.” I responded to you with: “You will.”

In retrospect, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude that I was able to tell you before you left to be with your maker how I felt about you, and how you enriched my life. I will be forever grateful.

You will remain a great man, and I am forever changed because of you. Rest in the arms of God.

Katy Townsend

Saying so long to my friend John…

As I read the commentary from community members, colleagues, and others who knew John what I think is most important for us all to remember is that John J. Kennedy was a spiritual man, a man who walked in his purpose. John had a God given assignment, one that he embraced and lived daily. He loved God’s people and in doing ssso, he was an outstanding public servant. Because he accepted the assignment graciously, no one was a stranger to John. No matter who you were, if you called on him for his support, he made himself available.

I can recall reaching out to John on a few occasions and though he may have been in a meeting, he always followed up to see what I needed. Besides John being my dear friend’s little brother, we established a relationship of our own. In my darkest hour, when I lost my mom, John shared his knowledge, wisdom, and protection as he guided my family in addressing her murder. At a time when I was looking for a residence, I shared some selections with John, and she advised with the best interest of my son in my mind. For that advice, both my son Christopher and I are truly grateful. John was a very caring individual and even when I may have thought I was going unnoticed by him, he had a way of letting me know I was osn