July 11, 1942 – July 1, 2018
Jerry Frank Kennedy, Sr., Father, Friend, Fisherman, passed away on July 1, 2018 at his home in Kila, Montana.
Jerry was welcomed into his family on July 11, 1942 in Marietta, Washington by his parents, Frank and Lydia Kennedy and his two sisters, Barbara and Shirley. The Kennedys are a fishing family, through and through, and worked on the boats out of Bellingham Bay with both Frank and Lydia working side by side at times. Jerry attended school in Marietta and Bellingham, where to this day he still has great friends. It was in school in Bellingham where he met Zelda Armstrong and they were married in October, 1961.
Jerry and Zelda moved to Kodiak, Alaska where Jerry worked in the crabbing industry and during this time they had 4 children, Jerry Jr. (Debra), Julia (Denny), Cheri (Scott), and Charmaine (Christian). In 1976, the family moved back home to Washington where they lived in The Judge Ralston House on Madison Street in Port Townsend. This home was a treasure, especially for the children coming from living in a small 3 bedroom home in Alaska to this beautiful spacious home! Along with their own children, Jerry and Zelda helped raise Sara Craig, a young lady who moved from California with her dad and she immediately became a wonderful addition to our family.
The Kennedy home was a place of much joy, sharing holidays with family and friends, many great meals Zelda cooked and all the kids’ friends that would come to eat and play, all were welcome and much love was shared over the year! So many, many wonderful memories!!
Jerry has 6 grandchildren, Joseph, Jonathan, Elizabeth, Lydia and Lucas who were all born in Port Townsend, spending much of their time at the home on Morgan Hill and Jake, who lives on Camano Island. Jerry also has 4 great grandchildren, Mason, Jonathan’s son and Ender, Zoey and Thomas, Jake’s children. Jerry loved and adored his grandchildren as he did all of his family. He was a true gentleman, always kind, humble and enjoyed life to the fullest.
After moving to Montana, he built a beautiful home where he helped raise Quinn and Drew Kittelson and lived there until his passing. Montana was perfect for the animals Jerry so loved and cared for, his horses, dogs, cats, rabbits at times; he was a true animal lover.
Jerry was deeply involved in the fishing industry even while living in Montana, making trips to Seattle and Alaska when necessary. He was cut from the fishing cloth since birth and fishing was always in his heart and soul!!
Jerry was preceded in death by his father Frank, his mother Lydia and his sister Barbara. Services will be held at a later date.
