Myrl Kennedy

Fred Myrl Kennedy, 91 a longtime De Baca County rancher and farmer died Saturday, August 6, 2005 at Good Samaritan Care Center. Myrl was born February 23, 1914 in Crosbyton, Texas to the home of Dandridge “Tack” Kennedy and the former Mary Jane “Mam” McDonald. He was reared in Dickins, and Wellmon, Texas and attended Seminole High School. He made his home in Fort Sumner in 1939 and worked as a cowboy on are ranches including Ben Hall Ranch and Neal Vaughan Ranch. Myrl also farmed in the Fort Sumner Valley for several years. Myrl was a soldier, he was inducted on March 7, 1942, and was a Heavy Artillery Gun Crewman; and Carbine Marksman, he served in the U.S. Army Company G 2730th Infantry. His tour of duty included Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. His citations included the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Five Battle Participation Stars, and the Bronze Star Medal. He was honorably discharged on September 25, 1945. Myrl was a member of the Fort Sumner Church of Christ; a past member of the Roping Club, and De Baca County Mounted Patrol. He was preceded in death by his wife Madelyne Kennedy in 2002; his parents “Tack” and “Mam” Kennedy; and a sister Orene Crenshaw. Survivors include a son Fred M. Kennedy and wife Charlotte of Lovington, NM; their children, Jeff and wife Shyla of Hemet, CA, Steve and wife Elena of Ewa Beach, HA, Judy Kennedy of Hemet, CA, and Daniel and wife Tonya of Tatum, NM; Great-grandchildren Colette, Stephenie, Stacee, David, Jonathan, Lera, Nika, Ashley, and Audrey; a step-daughter Mary Frances Mendoza and husband Alex of Dallas, TX; her children, Theresa, Sonia, Kenney, and Jerry; 13 great-grandchildren, and four Great-great-grandchildren, and a nephew Bobby Dan Crenshaw of Carrizozo, NM. Visitation will be Tuesday and Wednesday from 1pm to 6pm. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5pm to 6pm Tuesday and Wednesday. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 11, 2005 from the Fort Sumner Church of Christ with Gary Good and Charlie Overton officiating. Burial will follow in the Kennedy family plot, Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers will include G.A. Gunn, Dub Head, Charlie Overton, Powhatan Carter, Denzel Finney, Joe Bill Montgomery, George Gonzales, and Herbert Smith.. Honorary bearers will be all his many friends including E.E. “Snooky” Fish, Neal Vaughan, and Cecil West. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. (505) 355-2311 www.chavezfuneralhome.com