After a very short illness, Don Kennedy passed away on Sept. 27, 2008, in Bend. Don was born in Montague, Calif., on Nov. 21, 1916, to Guy and Irene Kennedy. At an early age, the family relocated to Chico, Calif., to be near both sets of grandparents. Though Don lost his mother at age one, he had a loving stepmother and a happy childhood growing up with his brother, LeRoy, and sisters, Faye and Marilyn. Marilyn survives in San Rafael, Calif.
Don attended Sequoia High School in Redwood City. He enjoyed competing on the swim team, but his first love was football. His team was fortunate that Len Casanova, in his first coaching job, led the team to championship in the PAL league. As Don often said, 'unbeaten and unscored on' all season. Len was one of his first mentors and Don was instrumental in bringing him to the University of Oregon to coach the Ducks. When asked by his father where he wished to attend college, Don chose the U of O where his father ran track. He belonged to the Beta Theta Pi fraternity making many lifelong friends. Don was a true scholar athlete, a varsity starter in 1937 under Coach Prink Callison, and quarterback for 3 years of varsity football. He also played halfback and fullback. His teammates knew they could count on Don to know and to do the job where needed.
Don's high energy level allowed him to take part in other activities such as sportscaster, radio editor of the Oregon Emerald, and the emcee for a student dance band. A lifelong Duck, Don was looking forward to attending the homecoming game this Oct. 11, as Honorary Football Captain with a full contingent of the family in attendance. He served on the Athletic Board of the University and as one of the early presidents of the U of O Duck Club.
After graduating with a bachelor's degree, he joined Jantzen's advertising department in 1938. In 1941, Don married Rose Festival princess Evelyn Rosander. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor he enlisted in the US Navy and served as an officer in communications during many battles in the South Pacific Theatre, including Guadalcanal and the Battle of Leyte Gulch. The interception of confidential coded information led to his promotion as aide to Admiral 'Bull' Halsey, with whom he served until the war ended.
Don and Evelyn had five children, Tod (Linda) Kennedy, Patty (Howard) Vogel, Donnie (Ron) Catton, Kathy (Tyrus) Tenold, all of Spokane, and Dale (Angie) Kennedy of Maui, Hawaii. The happy family enjoyed life outdoors and purchased their first Sunriver Lodge condo in the 60s. In early 1965 Don accepted a position as director of sales for White Stag Manufacturing Co. After 31 wonderful years of marriage, Evelyn passed away in 1972. With the children mostly grown, Don turned his energies to White Stag and to his new position as Chairman of the Board of the Sunriver Lodge condos.
At White Stag, Don increased profitability and rose to the position of president and chief executive in 1977. Don's right hand in the business was Kathy Callison, with whom he started a whole, happy new life together when they married in 1976. With family first in his heart, Don welcomed the addition of Kathy's six children into the fold, Elizabeth, Nancy and Michael Callison, Colleen (Paul) Engels and Peggy (Chuck) Seaman, all of Portland, and Patrick (Maria) Callison of Huntsville, Ala. This great family was the delight of his life.
Don and Kathy retired from White Stag in December 1981 and indulged their love of travel. They had many wonderful adventures together - driving through Europe and Asia, taking cruises to Tahiti and other tropical ports and wintering in their condo in Kona. May through November, they resided in Sunriver. Even with all the fun trips as a couple, the family was paramount in their lives. Don loved spending time playing with his 29 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Including spouses, "Bompa" counted 74 'under his wing' in his extended family. Don and Kathy had a perfect partnership - loving each other, finishing each other's thoughts and reveling in how blessed they were in their marriage. Their rich spiritual life was an example to their big family and to their many friends. The children loved to join in their happiness and frequently spent family reunions in Sunriver with them.
This great man was truly larger than life; Don's warmth, kindness, contagious optimism, limitless energy and fun-loving nature provided inspiration to the many lives he touched.
Source: Unknown (contributed without attribution)
Don attended Sequoia High School in Redwood City. He enjoyed competing on the swim team, but his first love was football. His team was fortunate that Len Casanova, in his first coaching job, led the team to championship in the PAL league. As Don often said, 'unbeaten and unscored on' all season. Len was one of his first mentors and Don was instrumental in bringing him to the University of Oregon to coach the Ducks. When asked by his father where he wished to attend college, Don chose the U of O where his father ran track. He belonged to the Beta Theta Pi fraternity making many lifelong friends. Don was a true scholar athlete, a varsity starter in 1937 under Coach Prink Callison, and quarterback for 3 years of varsity football. He also played halfback and fullback. His teammates knew they could count on Don to know and to do the job where needed.
Don's high energy level allowed him to take part in other activities such as sportscaster, radio editor of the Oregon Emerald, and the emcee for a student dance band. A lifelong Duck, Don was looking forward to attending the homecoming game this Oct. 11, as Honorary Football Captain with a full contingent of the family in attendance. He served on the Athletic Board of the University and as one of the early presidents of the U of O Duck Club.
After graduating with a bachelor's degree, he joined Jantzen's advertising department in 1938. In 1941, Don married Rose Festival princess Evelyn Rosander. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor he enlisted in the US Navy and served as an officer in communications during many battles in the South Pacific Theatre, including Guadalcanal and the Battle of Leyte Gulch. The interception of confidential coded information led to his promotion as aide to Admiral 'Bull' Halsey, with whom he served until the war ended.
Don and Evelyn had five children, Tod (Linda) Kennedy, Patty (Howard) Vogel, Donnie (Ron) Catton, Kathy (Tyrus) Tenold, all of Spokane, and Dale (Angie) Kennedy of Maui, Hawaii. The happy family enjoyed life outdoors and purchased their first Sunriver Lodge condo in the 60s. In early 1965 Don accepted a position as director of sales for White Stag Manufacturing Co. After 31 wonderful years of marriage, Evelyn passed away in 1972. With the children mostly grown, Don turned his energies to White Stag and to his new position as Chairman of the Board of the Sunriver Lodge condos.
At White Stag, Don increased profitability and rose to the position of president and chief executive in 1977. Don's right hand in the business was Kathy Callison, with whom he started a whole, happy new life together when they married in 1976. With family first in his heart, Don welcomed the addition of Kathy's six children into the fold, Elizabeth, Nancy and Michael Callison, Colleen (Paul) Engels and Peggy (Chuck) Seaman, all of Portland, and Patrick (Maria) Callison of Huntsville, Ala. This great family was the delight of his life.
Don and Kathy retired from White Stag in December 1981 and indulged their love of travel. They had many wonderful adventures together - driving through Europe and Asia, taking cruises to Tahiti and other tropical ports and wintering in their condo in Kona. May through November, they resided in Sunriver. Even with all the fun trips as a couple, the family was paramount in their lives. Don loved spending time playing with his 29 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Including spouses, "Bompa" counted 74 'under his wing' in his extended family. Don and Kathy had a perfect partnership - loving each other, finishing each other's thoughts and reveling in how blessed they were in their marriage. Their rich spiritual life was an example to their big family and to their many friends. The children loved to join in their happiness and frequently spent family reunions in Sunriver with them.
This great man was truly larger than life; Don's warmth, kindness, contagious optimism, limitless energy and fun-loving nature provided inspiration to the many lives he touched.
Source: Unknown (contributed without attribution)
After a very short illness, Don Kennedy passed away on Sept. 27, 2008, in Bend. Don was born in Montague, Calif., on Nov. 21, 1916, to Guy and Irene Kennedy. At an early age, the family relocated to Chico, Calif., to be near both sets of grandparents. Though Don lost his mother at age one, he had a loving stepmother and a happy childhood growing up with his brother, LeRoy, and sisters, Faye and Marilyn. Marilyn survives in San Rafael, Calif.
Don attended Sequoia High School in Redwood City. He enjoyed competing on the swim team, but his first love was football. His team was fortunate that Len Casanova, in his first coaching job, led the team to championship in the PAL league. As Don often said, 'unbeaten and unscored on' all season. Len was one of his first mentors and Don was instrumental in bringing him to the University of Oregon to coach the Ducks. When asked by his father where he wished to attend college, Don chose the U of O where his father ran track. He belonged to the Beta Theta Pi fraternity making many lifelong friends. Don was a true scholar athlete, a varsity starter in 1937 under Coach Prink Callison, and quarterback for 3 years of varsity football. He also played halfback and fullback. His teammates knew they could count on Don to know and to do the job where needed.
Don's high energy level allowed him to take part in other activities such as sportscaster, radio editor of the Oregon Emerald, and the emcee for a student dance band. A lifelong Duck, Don was looking forward to attending the homecoming game this Oct. 11, as Honorary Football Captain with a full contingent of the family in attendance. He served on the Athletic Board of the University and as one of the early presidents of the U of O Duck Club.
After graduating with a bachelor's degree, he joined Jantzen's advertising department in 1938. In 1941, Don married Rose Festival princess Evelyn Rosander. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor he enlisted in the US Navy and served as an officer in communications during many battles in the South Pacific Theatre, including Guadalcanal and the Battle of Leyte Gulch. The interception of confidential coded information led to his promotion as aide to Admiral 'Bull' Halsey, with whom he served until the war ended.
Don and Evelyn had five children, Tod (Linda) Kennedy, Patty (Howard) Vogel, Donnie (Ron) Catton, Kathy (Tyrus) Tenold, all of Spokane, and Dale (Angie) Kennedy of Maui, Hawaii. The happy family enjoyed life outdoors and purchased their first Sunriver Lodge condo in the 60s. In early 1965 Don accepted a position as director of sales for White Stag Manufacturing Co. After 31 wonderful years of marriage, Evelyn passed away in 1972. With the children mostly grown, Don turned his energies to White Stag and to his new position as Chairman of the Board of the Sunriver Lodge condos.
At White Stag, Don increased profitability and rose to the position of president and chief executive in 1977. Don's right hand in the business was Kathy Callison, with whom he started a whole, happy new life together when they married in 1976. With family first in his heart, Don welcomed the addition of Kathy's six children into the fold, Elizabeth, Nancy and Michael Callison, Colleen (Paul) Engels and Peggy (Chuck) Seaman, all of Portland, and Patrick (Maria) Callison of Huntsville, Ala. This great family was the delight of his life.
Don and Kathy retired from White Stag in December 1981 and indulged their love of travel. They had many wonderful adventures together - driving through Europe and Asia, taking cruises to Tahiti and other tropical ports and wintering in their condo in Kona. May through November, they resided in Sunriver. Even with all the fun trips as a couple, the family was paramount in their lives. Don loved spending time playing with his 29 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Including spouses, "Bompa" counted 74 'under his wing' in his extended family. Don and Kathy had a perfect partnership - loving each other, finishing each other's thoughts and reveling in how blessed they were in their marriage. Their rich spiritual life was an example to their big family and to their many friends. The children loved to join in their happiness and frequently spent family reunions in Sunriver with them.
This great man was truly larger than life; Don's warmth, kindness, contagious optimism, limitless energy and fun-loving nature provided inspiration to the many lives he touched.
Source: Unknown (contributed without attribution)
Don attended Sequoia High School in Redwood City. He enjoyed competing on the swim team, but his first love was football. His team was fortunate that Len Casanova, in his first coaching job, led the team to championship in the PAL league. As Don often said, 'unbeaten and unscored on' all season. Len was one of his first mentors and Don was instrumental in bringing him to the University of Oregon to coach the Ducks. When asked by his father where he wished to attend college, Don chose the U of O where his father ran track. He belonged to the Beta Theta Pi fraternity making many lifelong friends. Don was a true scholar athlete, a varsity starter in 1937 under Coach Prink Callison, and quarterback for 3 years of varsity football. He also played halfback and fullback. His teammates knew they could count on Don to know and to do the job where needed.
Don's high energy level allowed him to take part in other activities such as sportscaster, radio editor of the Oregon Emerald, and the emcee for a student dance band. A lifelong Duck, Don was looking forward to attending the homecoming game this Oct. 11, as Honorary Football Captain with a full contingent of the family in attendance. He served on the Athletic Board of the University and as one of the early presidents of the U of O Duck Club.
After graduating with a bachelor's degree, he joined Jantzen's advertising department in 1938. In 1941, Don married Rose Festival princess Evelyn Rosander. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor he enlisted in the US Navy and served as an officer in communications during many battles in the South Pacific Theatre, including Guadalcanal and the Battle of Leyte Gulch. The interception of confidential coded information led to his promotion as aide to Admiral 'Bull' Halsey, with whom he served until the war ended.
Don and Evelyn had five children, Tod (Linda) Kennedy, Patty (Howard) Vogel, Donnie (Ron) Catton, Kathy (Tyrus) Tenold, all of Spokane, and Dale (Angie) Kennedy of Maui, Hawaii. The happy family enjoyed life outdoors and purchased their first Sunriver Lodge condo in the 60s. In early 1965 Don accepted a position as director of sales for White Stag Manufacturing Co. After 31 wonderful years of marriage, Evelyn passed away in 1972. With the children mostly grown, Don turned his energies to White Stag and to his new position as Chairman of the Board of the Sunriver Lodge condos.
At White Stag, Don increased profitability and rose to the position of president and chief executive in 1977. Don's right hand in the business was Kathy Callison, with whom he started a whole, happy new life together when they married in 1976. With family first in his heart, Don welcomed the addition of Kathy's six children into the fold, Elizabeth, Nancy and Michael Callison, Colleen (Paul) Engels and Peggy (Chuck) Seaman, all of Portland, and Patrick (Maria) Callison of Huntsville, Ala. This great family was the delight of his life.
Don and Kathy retired from White Stag in December 1981 and indulged their love of travel. They had many wonderful adventures together - driving through Europe and Asia, taking cruises to Tahiti and other tropical ports and wintering in their condo in Kona. May through November, they resided in Sunriver. Even with all the fun trips as a couple, the family was paramount in their lives. Don loved spending time playing with his 29 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Including spouses, "Bompa" counted 74 'under his wing' in his extended family. Don and Kathy had a perfect partnership - loving each other, finishing each other's thoughts and reveling in how blessed they were in their marriage. Their rich spiritual life was an example to their big family and to their many friends. The children loved to join in their happiness and frequently spent family reunions in Sunriver with them.
This great man was truly larger than life; Don's warmth, kindness, contagious optimism, limitless energy and fun-loving nature provided inspiration to the many lives he touched.
Source: Unknown (contributed without attribution)
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