James Connell Kennedy

Graveside services for James Connell Kennedy, 83, Lawrence, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Memorial Park Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by American Legion Dorsey-Liberty Post No. 14.
Mr. Kennedy died Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
He was born Nov. 26, 1927, in Versailles, Mo., the son of Milburn B. and Isa C. Drake Kennedy.
Mr. Kennedy served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a Navy Seaman 2nd class. He served on the USS Massey No. 770 (destroyer) as a gunner’s mate. Mr. Kennedy owned Jim’s Steak House in Lawrence for many years. He was involved in various other hotels and restaurants. He retired in 1995.
He was a member of Mt. Oread Aerie No. 309, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Lawrence, and was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars. Mr. Kennedy was a former member of the Elks Club.
He married Ardyth Nadine Planz on Jan. 2, 1951, in Harrison, Ark. She preceded him in death on May 10, 2006.
He was also preceded in death by a sister, Faye, and a brother, Bill.
Survivors include two sons, Larry C. and wife Jennifer, and Dennis R. and wife Zoe Ann, all of Lawrence; two daughters, Vickie L. Miller and husband Allan, Cairns, Australia, and Diana G. Swisher and husband David, Lawrence; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a sister, Lois Bunch, Shawnee.
The family will greet friends from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. today at Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
The family suggests memorials to the VFW, sent in care of the mortuary.
Online condolences may be sent at warrenmcelwain.com.