Charles Leon Kennedy - August 16, 1928 - July 19, 2025, age 96
Charles Leon Kennedy was the son of Oscar Herman Kennedy and Lucy Callahan born on August 16, 1928, in Brownstown, Indiana and passed on July 19, 2025. He was 28 days shy of his 97th birthday. He is survived by his son Thomas and Karol Kennedy of Valparaiso, IN and grandson Eric Evans of Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Other members of his family are children Elizabeth Jorgenson, Timothy Kennedy, and Kathy Campolla (deceased). Charles had eight grandchildren (Cory, Carrie, Eric, Gab, Dewey, Becky, Amy and Matthew) and 22 great grandchildren. He was a brother to sister Helen “Louise” Hodorowski and James “Bud” Kennedy who he loved. Charles was married to Juanita Morrison from 1951-1975. Charles lived in Valparaiso, IN, El Paso, TX, and Rio Rancho, NM. Charles said it was time to come home and recently moved to the Pines Village Retirement Community in Valparaiso.
Charles graduated from Jackson Township School in IN class of 1946. He earned his BS and Masters of Education from Southwest New Mexico University and Indiana University. He was in education for 44 years. Charles taught at Fegely and Aylesworth in Portage. He was a teacher and principal of Jackson High School and was also a principal at Wheeler High School. Charles later became Texas Teacher of the Year for the State of Texas 1989-90. He was an Industrial Arts Teacher then for Ysleta Independent School District in TX. Charles was one of the Founding Fathers of Porter County Conference in 1958. He also loved coaching basketball and baseball. Many students would visit him and write to him throughout the years. His family loved hearing their stories. Charles also worked for the railroad, US steel, Kraft and on his family farm.
Charles was an Army WWII vet. He was a Sergeant Dispatcher Clerk and served under General McArthur. He earned the Medal of Victory and the Army of Occupation Medal. He was stationed in Japan.
Charles always ended his visits with “Love you and God Bless”. He was known as the Flag man. He handed out a US Flags pin to everyone he met. Charles will be missed by so many.
A “Celebration of Life” will be held at Moeller Funeral Home at 104 Roosevelt Rd. Valparaiso, IN 46383 on Friday, August 8, 2025, from 4:00-7:00 PM. Donations can be sent to Pines Village Retirement Community at 3303 Pines Village Circle Valparaiso, IN 46383.
GUESTBOOK
I met Chuck by chance at a UPS Store here in Rio Rancho NM about two years ago. He was telling the store owner about his travels, and I just walked right up and got into the conversation because it was so interesting. I'll be 85 this year. Chuck handed me his business card reading Charles Kennedy and said: "My name is Charles, but you can call me 'Chuck'". So for the next couple of years even after he moved to Indiana several months ago, we talked on the phone occasionally. To me, he'll always be "Call-Me-Chuck". He was remarkable - a lovely person and a lovely Soul. I'm glad I had an opportunity to know him ever so slightly. Thoughts are with his lovely family now - I know you will miss him. I believe he'd tell you to continue to be kind and thoughtful. That's how he was - a good way to live. -Christine Huber
