Richard Kennedy

Richard “Dick” Kennedy, 88, of Vicksburg, passed away at Northwoods Village on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, after a short battle with bladder cancer. Dick was born on October 21, 1936, to Benjamin & Dorothy (Herron) Kennedy. A life-long machine operator and handy man, Dick was a “jack of all trades”. He embraced the joy found in jazz music, motorcycles, and traveling, but his first love was his wife, Susan. This was evident by anyone who knew them.

Dick graduated from Comstock High School in 1955. While in school, he excelled in band, playing in a special quartet that traveled and performed at parties and shows. He could play a multitude of instruments. Around this same time, he met Susan Rantz through a friend, and they would talk on the phone. He would also walk from Comstock to Plainwell to see her. They married on November 5, 1955.

After they were married, he served his country in the Army. He was also part of the Army Band, and he also spent years in the National Guard.

Dick is survived by his wife of 69 years, Susan; his siblings: William Kennedy, Teresa Kennedy, Betty Bronson, Lori Johnson as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, as well as, Susan’s siblings whom he counted as his own: Pat (Clarabelle) Rantz, June (Ted) VanAtta, Cal (Joan) Rantz, Eleanor (Lynn) Newberry, Don (LaVerne) Allen, Gertrude (Mel) Allen and Dorothy (John) Swetish.

Visit with family and friends on Monday, May 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Avink, McCowen and Secord Funeral Home; 5975 Lovers Lane, Portage, MI 49002. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 at the same location. Memorial donations can be made to Compassus Hospice of Kalamazoo.

While visiting Dick's webpage at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please sign the guestbook and/or share a memory with the family.