Walter "Wally" G. Kennedy

Walter Glenn Kennedy better known as Wally, was born in Chicago, Illinois, on August 30, 1940 to Lucille and Daniel Kennedy. Daniel abandoned the family when Wally was a very young age. Leaving Lucille to raise 3 boys on her own. Wally met Dolly, at Tuley High School when he was 17 years old, after transferring from Crane Tech to Tuley. They both roller skated and Wally said that he saw Dolly at Riverview roller rink and went home and told his mother that he saw the girl he was going to marry. Little did he know that he would end up in her home room when he transferred to Tuley. The went steady for 2 years and were engaged for another 18 months. Prior to graduation Wally enlisted in the USAF. The story behind that was Wally went to enlist in the Marines but they were out to lunch and the Air Force recruiting office was open. He left for Lackland AFB two days after graduation, starting the beginning of a 20-year career. After basic training he was stationed Libya, North Africa for 18 months. Wally and Dolly were married August 11, 1962 in Chicago. Their honeymoon was a trip to Wally’s first assignment as a married man, to Luke, AFB, Glendale AZ. His next assignment in 1964 was Keesler AFB, Biloxi, MS. Their son, Richard was born there in 1966. In May of 1969, he was assigned to Okinawa leaving Rich and Dolly in Biloxi until August of 1969. In August of 1969 he received new orders to base of choice which was Luke AFB., Glendale, AZ. Their daughter, Kari was born in Glendale, AZ.in late December of 1969. The A7s were moved to Davis-Monthan AFB in May of 1971. In December of 1972 Wally was on his way to Thailand until Dec. of 1973.Returning home to Tucson, AZ at Davis Monthan where he retired in May of 1980. After retirement he went to work at Gates Lear Jet. In 1982, he began working for at Hughes Aircraft which eventually became Raytheon and he retired from there in 1999. Wally also substituted at Santa Rita High School for a short time. Once he fully retired Wally and Dolly did some cruising which he really liked. He liked it so much that they took seven cruises. He said one of things he liked about cruising was he didn’t have to take suitcases in and out of hotel rooms at each stop and he could enjoy the scenery because he didn’t have to drive except to the place of departure and could enjoy all the scenery. Wally was a devoted, and proud husband; (Dolores (Dolly). Father; Richard, (Megon Beeler-Sax Kennedy), Kari, (Warren Kendle), Grandfather; Krystal (Antonio Roumeliotis), Gracie Kendle and great Grandfather; Aristotle and Anastasia Roumeliotis. Upon Richard’s marriage to Megon, Wally gained 4 grandchildren: Eric, Caitlin, Annamae, and John and another great grandchild, Padraic. He had a special relationship with Dolly’s sister, Patti Hess-Coscia that grew from 1957 until he passed. He was the only brother she had and she was his only sister. Wally had a soft spot for all 10 dogs, but especially loved “Oscar”, his boxer. He was very athletic played Basketball, golf, baseball and enjoyed all sports as a spectator. Wally will be remembered and loved by his family and friends forever.