Jerry Lee Kennedy

Jerry Lee Kennedy, 79, of Amber, Oklahoma was greeted by his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as he entered his eternal home in Heaven on April 3, 2022. Jerry was the fourth of six children born to Ted Kennedy and Margaret Cox Kennedy on February 6, 1943 at Amber, Oklahoma.

Jerry graduated from Amber High School with the class of 1961 where he played basketball and baseball and was a member of the shop class and vocational agriculture. After graduation, he continued his love of sports by playing on a men’s competitive softball league for “way too many years,” according to Vickie. He worked as a carpenter, framing and roofing houses, after graduation.

At just 19 years of age, Jerry married his soulmate of 59 years, Vickie Riley Kennedy, on December 29, 1962. They welcomed their son, Terry Lee, January 20, 1964. Jerry & Vickie lived in Oklahoma City and Moore for a few years before moving back to Amber. They have lived in their current home for 50 years.

In June of 1962, Jerry began a 41 ½ year career with Cameron Iron Works. He had wise words for those who would enter his line of work. He would tell them to spend wisely and save diligently because the oilfield life was and is volatile and you just need to work hard and always be prepared for the bottom to fall out. He overcame those ups and downs because of his diligence and worth ethic that surpassed so many others throughout the years. After retiring in 2003, Jerry was able to devote his time to his three pride and joys, his grandchildren.

Jerry loved reading western novels, watching the game show network and working in his garden. If his grandkids were involved in an activity you can bet he was there early to get a good seat. In August of 2020 he became a great granddad. Karsten Jolee was his entire world. She stayed at his house one day a week from January - May of last year, and oh how he doted on her.

Jerry was a member of Amber First Baptist Church where he served as a deacon since 2009. He loved his church family and serving the Lord. He looked forward to the Wednesdays that he and Vickie would serve food for the BCM students at USAO. He also enjoyed Taco Lunch, where he would hand out drinks to the high school students and talk with them about their recent sports or Ag adventures. He made sure each one of them felt welcome. Jerry was a member of the Amber Volunteer Fire Department where he fought fires alongside many family members and other volunteers. He loved his summer adventures in the wheat field while helping the Norvell’s during harvest. He may have driven a combine, worked on equipment or wrangled Kyle, but whatever it was he did it with a smile on his face.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 59 years Vickie Kennedy; son Terry Kennedy and wife Kim; granddaughter Shae Mortimer and husband Matt; grandson Kaden Kennedy and wife Brenna; grandson Kale Kennedy; great granddaughter Karsten Mortimer; brother Lonnie Kennedy; brothers-in-law Gene Turner, Dave Franks, David Riley and wife Denice; sister-in-law Ingie Riley Valverde; and a wide extended family who he loved dearly.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents Margaret and Ted Kennedy, infant daughter Tammy Louise, brothers Verle & Wesley Kennedy and sisters, Peggy Kennedy Milburn and Betty Kennedy Beam.

Memorial Contributions in Jerry's honor can me made to First Baptist Church Amber for the Boy's Ranch Town or to Deaconess Pregnancy and Adoption at www.dpaok.org.