John Calvin Kennedy, 80 of Easton, PA died Monday, October 16, 2023. Born February 9, 1943 in Lumberton, NC, he was the son of the late Harold and Burnis (McKinstry) Kennedy. He was a graduate of Cullowhee High School, Ohio Northern University and the University of Illinois. John joined the Peace Corps in 1965 where his primary job was to teach mathematics at a
secondary school in Peki, Ghana. While there, he met his future wife in Kumasi, Ghana. They frequently traveled 10+ hours to see one another before and after they married in Peki, Ghana in 1968.
They then traveled through Europe on their way home to meet one another’s in-laws and to teach in Washington, DC. Two years later they moved to Charlotte, North Carolina where John taught math at a junior high, the first year Mecklenburg County integrated. John then obtained his masters at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana before moving to Puerto Rico in 1975 to teach math at Antilles High School. He was an educator for the U.S Dept. of Defense at the ACSS for more than 25 years. John and Fran returned to Ghana three times since 2004, meeting former colleagues and students and volunteering for Global Mamas. John is the author of the novel Last Lorry to Mbordo which takes place in a fictional West African country based on Ghana, Sierra Leone and Nigeria during the Biafran war.
Twenty years ago, John and Fran moved to the Lehigh Valley to be near their children and grandchildren. John was especially known for his kind and thoughtful nature, and his love and dedication to his family, friends and students. He was always quick to share a dry, witty joke or story. John was passionate about helping people, both locally and worldwide. Some of his activities included tutoring local high school students in math, assisting local refugee action groups, and funding a solar project to promote green energy. Locally, he was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Lehigh Valley; the AAUW Easton Branch; a past president of the Easton Kiwanis Club; and the Village on College Hill group’s drumming circle. John was also an avid pickleball player for over 10 years.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Frances (Healing) Kennedy; his daughter: Christina Angela Kennedy (husband Jeffrey Allan Porter); his son: Michael Kwame Kennedy (fiancé Sherry Lynn Hartman); 4 grandchildren: Calvin Fox Kennedy, Jacob Kennedy Porter, Timothy Dante Kennedy and Skye Kennedy Porter. He was predeceased by his sister: Janet (Kennedy)
Bixel.
Memorial contributions may be made to AAUW Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1464, Easton, PA 18044 or UUCLV (note Social Action in memory of John Kennedy), 1633 West Elm St., Allentown, PA 18102, or a charity of your choice. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.
Skip Fairchild
October 28, 2023 at 9:22 am
I was very sad to hear of John’s death. As member of the Easton Kiwanis Club, I’ve had many conversations with John. He certainly will be missed. My condolences to the entire family.
Janet Owen
October 28, 2023 at 11:39 pm
John was a very kind and thoughtful gentleman who led an extraordinary life. He was a passionate man about social and environmental issues.
He will be missed at the Kiwanis Club of Easton. However, we will not forget the issues that he so vehemently shard.
Condolences to his dear wife and the rest of his family and friends.
JAMES OWEN
October 29, 2023 at 8:20 am
It was truly sad news to hear of John’s passing. We knew John through our association in the Kiwanis Club of Easton. John cared deeply about things that truly matter, family, friends, children, evidenced by his wonderful actions together in Kiwanis, and the world around us, as evidenced by his leadership as our Environmental Committee Chair. We will miss John terribly and wish his family and friends our deepest, most heartfelt condolences. Our hearts especially go out to Fran. What a wonderful story of how they met and formed a life together. We are heartbroken for the loss of a great man. RIP John Kennedy.
John Fisher
October 29, 2023 at 12:17 pm
John was a regular participant in our pickleball group at Forks Township Community Center. He will be greatly missed. Our condolences go out to John’s family.
Susan Gilio
October 29, 2023 at 12:57 pm
So happy and honored to have met and played pickleball with John at Fairview, kind man and an inspiration. 😇 🥒🏓
Donna Apgar
October 29, 2023 at 1:34 pm
I was so shocked to hear of John’s passing. Just a great, thoughtful, kind man that I had the privilege to know and play some pickleball. He will be missed. My sincerest sympathies & prayers to his family…..Donna
Colleen DiRosa
October 29, 2023 at 4:28 pm
I feel so fortunate to have gotten to know John. I am so shocked to read this. John was such a gentleman and a great pickleball player. I feel blessed to have known him. My sincere sympathy to your whole family.
Larry Stockton
October 29, 2023 at 8:51 pm
I met John through his participation in the Village on College Hill drum Circle. We shared many stories about Cullowhee and Ghana. I will miss his kind demeanor and engaging smile.
Jean Davis
October 30, 2023 at 12:18 pm
John’s steady, calm presence and generosity to the UUCLV will be missed.
Condolences to Fran and his children and grandchildren on the loss of a great man and positive role model.
Catherine Marie Campanaro
November 14, 2023 at 4:44 pm
John was one of the first people to reach his hand out when I became a member at UUCLVV. He and Fran were a great team. Sending my condolences to Fran and to John’s family.