Donald Kennedy

Donald Dean "Buckshot" Kennedy, age 80, of Paola, Kansas, died Thursday, November 15, 2012 at the Miami County Medical Center, Paola, Kansas. Don was born March 21, 1932 in Paola, Kansas. He was the youngest of three children born to William Greason and Marcia Fern (Mathews) Kennedy. He grew up in Paola and graduated from Paola High School with the Class of 1950. He was united in marriage to Barbara Jeanne Mullins on December 23, 1951 in Osawatomie at the Presbyterian Church. They made their home in Boonville, Missouri and became the parents of one son Ron. Buck started working for Panhandle Eastern Pipeline in 1951 as a welder in Boonville, Missouri. Shortly thereafter, he was transferred to Alva, Oklahoma where he and his family resided for approximately 25 years. Panhandle Eastern then transferred he and Barb back to Paola where he was then able to retire in 1989. Being a hard-working man, Buck didn"t have much time for many hobbies. He officiated high school basketball and football games. He also enjoyed go-kart racing. He was a true KU basketball fan as well as an avid fan of Paola and Osawatomie high school sports. Buck loved his canine companion Charlie, a black Labrador retriever. Charlie died about ten years ago. Buck was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Barbara of the home; his son Ron of Cypress, Texas; his granddaughter Marcia Bayer and her husband Jonathon of Cypress, Texas; two sisters Helen Carter and Una Fern Nutt both of Paola; many other relatives and friends. Contributions can be made to the Donald Kennedy USD #368 Scholarship Fund which has been established in his memory.