Michael Kay Kennedy

Michael Kay Kennedy, beloved Husband, Father and Poppa, died August 10, 2019 due to complications from his valiant fight with lung cancer. He was 79 years old. Michael a resident of Murrieta, California, passed while visiting his vacation home in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was born September 4, 1939 in West Hickory, PA. Michael was the 5th of 6 children born to Edward and Florence Kennedy. West Hickory, a small town, is in the middle of the Allegheny forest. He grew up in a modest home with few luxuries. At the age of 17, Michael left high school and enlisted in the United States Navy. He began his career in the US Navy in 1956 and retired in 1976, he was a radio man, recruiter and retired E-7 Chief. During his career in the Navy he lived all over the US, Taiwan and Japan. While in Taiwan, Michael met Ching “Tina” Tsai and they were married on May 25, 1961. He served two tours in Vietnam. After he retired from US Navy; he worked at the Los Angeles Court House and created the first systems to computerize files/data from 1976-1983. From there, he went on to work in Telecommunications with MCI for 20 years, from 1983-2003, and retired in February of 2003 at 64 years old. Michael enjoyed spending time with his family, golfing, and he was an avid baseball fan. Michael enjoyed going to Angel baseball games. Most of all he loved spending time with his wife, Tina; traveling with her to Las Vegas, Hawaii, Alaska, China and he loved cruises. Michael is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Ching “Tina” Kennedy; son, Michael K Kennedy, Jr. (Claudia), daughter, Donna Clark (Cory), daughter, Cathy Freeborn (John), son, “Bobby” Robert Kennedy (Julie), Grandchildren, Cameron Kennedy, Damian Walker, Kailie Kennedy, Chloe Kennedy, Joshua Elmore (Donna), Jarrett Elmore (Catalina), Great Grandchild Aliyah and his sister, Donna Dietz. Michael was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Edward, Charlotte, Jack and Jud. Michael was a happy, positive, friendly man. He was loved by all who knew him. He was never in a bad mood and only ever had a smile on his face. Michael was a jokester, who loved to kid everyone. He made every baby he ever saw, smile. He will be remembered as a warm hearted, kind soul; who will be forever loved and missed by all he knew. A Celebration of Life Services will be held at Thomas Miller Mortuary Sierra Chapel, on Thursday, August 29, 2019 at 11:00 AM with interment at Riverside National Cemetery at 1:00 PM. Service Sierra Memorial Chapel Mortuary 951-687-0551 | Thursday 8/29, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Cemetery Riverside National Cemetery 22495 Van Buren Blvd Riverside, CA 92518 Thursday 8/29, 1:00 pm