John William Kennedy Jr.

b. 10 March 1925, d. 31 January 2005
  • John William Kennedy Jr. was born on 10 March 1925 in Houston County, Texas.
  • John William Kennedy Jr. died on 31 January 2005 at age 79 in Lufkin, Angelina County, Texas.
  • He was interred at Augusta Cemetery, Augusta, Houston County, Texas.
  • The following appeared in a local newspaper: Dr. John W. Kennedy, long-time Grapeland dentist, passed away surrounded by his family at his home in Lufkin, Texas, on Monday, January 31, 2005.
         "Dr. John," or "Doc," as many patients and friends called him, was born in Grapeland on March, 10, 1925, to John Kennedy, Sr. and Bess Burton Howard Kennedy. John grew up in Grapeland and graduated from Grapeland High School in 1942, where he played center on the football team. After graduation, he attended Sam Houston State University in Huntsville for one year before being drafted into the Army in 1943. In 1944, he was sent to Siapan in the Western Pacific, where he served as a med tech from 1944 into 1945. For his service in the war, John received the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal and Bronze Star.
         After the war in 1946, John came home to Grapeland, re-entered Sam Houston State University and completed his Bachelor of Science Degree. While attending school, John met Joanne Dickey of Crockett, and they were married on December 21, 1947. John and Joanne moved to Dallas, where John attended Baylor College of Dentistry, receiving his Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1952. After graduation, he, Joanne, and daughter Beth moved to Grapeland, and John began his dental practice in the building between what was then Kennedy Brothers store and Herod's Grocery. Dr. John practiced dentistry there in Grapeland until his retirement in 1988. He was a true artisan, making dentures by hand for his patients to the day he retired.
         After retirement, John and Joanne built a home near Augusta, Texas, where John spent his time reading, listening to his favorite jazz tunes, watching football on TV, traveling, tending his fruit trees, and taking care of his property. In 2002, John and Joanne moved to Lufkin to be near their son John Thomas and his family. For a short period, John served as a volunteer in the ICU at Lufkin's Memorial Hospital until his illness kept him at home.
         Over the years, John was involved in many activities. He was a member of the Delta Sigma Delta Dental Fraternity and the Texas Dental Association. John also served for four years on the Grapeland School Board, served as Commander of VFW Post 5870, and was a member of Masonic Lodge No. 473 for over 50 years.
         He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 57 years, Joanne; his son and daughter-in-law, John and Connie Kennedy; daughter, Beth Kennedy and friend Paul Beddingfield of Houston; daughter and son-in-law, June and Mike Benestante of Houston; grandchildren, Jack Kennedy, Joanna, Michael and Abby Benestante; two brothers, Sam Kennedy and wife Gloria of Grapeland and James Kennedy and wife Mary of Augusta. John is also survived by one niece and five nephews, and several great nieces and nephews.
         Dr. John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Bess Kennedy. Dr. John was a devoted son, husband and father, and he served his dental patients well. He will be greatly missed, and remembered with much love and admiration.
         Funeral services and burial will be held at the Augusta Cemetery on Wednesday, February 2, 2005, with Reverend Jim Ainsworth officiating.
         Pallbearers will be Stanley Skidmore, Ben Childress, Dick Murchison, Porter Herod, and Ray Whitaker, all of Grapeland.
         Also, the family extends a special thanks to the hospice nurses and other caretakers who contributed their time and caring assistance during John's illness. In lieu of flowers, for those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice in the Pines, Lufkin, Texas, or the Augusta Cemetery Association.
  • Last Edited: 30 Jul 2016