Jim Kennedy, 87, of Wadsworth, passed away Wednesday, June 12, 2013.

He was born June 16, 1925 in Akron, Ohio to the late John and Anne (Kapper) Kennedy.

He enjoyed 62 years of companionship and love with his beloved wife Vonda. He will be missed by his children and grandchildren and will be forever in their hearts. He will be remembered as an avid storyteller and prankster. There was always a joke to be told and a story to follow. He proudly served as Seaman 1st class in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was one of the first to board the U.S.S. Indianapolis and then transferred to the U.S.S. Pensacola as a radar operator. The Pensacola was one of the busiest battle ships during the war, traveling 200,000 miles, handling 54 bombardments and participating in 13 major battles, including Iwo Jima and Okinawa. It earned 13 battle stars. He retired from First National Bank of Akron in 1987 as a loan officer.

He is survived by his five daughters Gloria Kennedy of Cincinnati, Ohio, Brenda Cooper of Hopedale, Ohio, Linda (Scott) Forgeron of Long Beach, California, Cindi (Jeff) Romanoff of Wadsworth, Ohio and Laura (Rod) Lawrence of Stow, Ohio. His five grandchildren, Leslie (Dave) Davis of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Justin Ruthen of Cincinnati, Ohio, Katrina Romanoff of Cincinnati, Ohio, Natasha Romanoff of Wadsworth, Ohio, Jessica Lawrence of Stow, Ohio and one great-grandchild Alexis Davis of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
Preceded in death by his beloved wife Vonda, son-in-law Oyd C. Cooper, siblings Esther (Edward), Bernard (Frances), Lawrence, Dorothe (Christopher), Evelyn (Walter), Jerome (Helen), Helen (Delbert), Ellen (Richard) and Donald (Mary).

Family will receive friends Monday 5-7 PM, at the Hilliard Rospert Funeral Home, 174 North Lyman St. Wadsworth, where funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, at 11:00 AM with Deacon Roger Klaas officiating. Interment will be in the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, 10175 Rawiga Rd. Rittman, OH. In lieu of flowers the family request contributions be made to the Honor Flight -Flying WWII Veterans, for the WWII Memorial. Send contributions to, Honor Flight Cleveland, Inc. 37 Levan Dr. Painesville, OH 44077.

Hilliard-Rospert
330-334-1501
wwwhilliardrospert.com