Curtis Kennedy... Age 63

Curtis L Kennedy, age 63 of Osawatomie, KS died Monday, September 19, 2022 at his home after a brave seven month battle with brain cancer.

Curtis was born May 3, 1959 in Cambridgeshire, England on the US Army Base where his father, Colin E Kennedy Sr was serving. He was the second child born to his father and mother, Marilyn L (Boyd) Kennedy. He grew up in LaPorte, Texas until his parents divorced and his mother was remarried to his stepfather, John R Mullins in 1969. His mother and stepfather became parents to his twin siblings, sister Jeanna and brother John in 1970. In 1973 his stepfather retired from NASA and the family moved to Osawatomie, Kansas where his stepfather had been raised.  Curtis attended eighth grade at Osawatomie Junior High School and graduated with the Osawatomie High School class of 1978.

As a teenager Curtis taught himself to play both the bass and acoustic guitar. Listening to the music of the Beatles and Stevie Ray Vaughan would prove to be very formative in his life.  He played in a band with his friend, Richard Bartlett throughout high school. After high school he and Richard took their talents to Houston, Texas to try their hand in the music industry. It was not meant to be and after a few years he went back to Kansas. At that time Curtis moved to Lawrence where he attended the University of Kansas and worked at the KU Student Union. He graduated in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts in Silversmithing. He made several pieces of art that still remain with the family.

Curtis continued to live and work in Lawrence for several years where he played music in a band at mostly Blues and Rock venues. He later moved back to Osawatomie to help take care of his elderly mother where he lived for the rest of his life.

Curtis worked various jobs throughout his life. After moving back to Osawatomie he worked for Sunflower Dodge for ten years, later known as New Century Dodge in Paola. The last five years, Curtis was working as a custodian at the Osawatomie State Hospital.

Curtis was an artist. Although he had a BA in Silversmithing, his favorite pastime was spent as a musician. Curtis was an avid KU Basketball fan and loved the Kansas City Chiefs. He was a registered member of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska as well as a member of the First United Methodist Church of Osawatomie.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, his mother, Marilyn L Mullins, his father, Colin E Kennedy, Sr, his brother, Colin E Kennedy,  Jr. his stepfather, John R Mullins and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Survivors include his sister Jeanna Mullins and brother John Mullins, both of Osawatomie, his nephew Gabriel Maddex of Chicago, IL., his niece Maribeth Maddex of Manhattan, KS., and cousin Mary Orahood of Rockledge, FL.  along with other cousins, family and friends.

Special thanks to his closest friends for supporting Curtis throughout the years and especially the last few months of his life: Michael Chase of Pearland, Texas, Richard Bartlett of Austin, Texas and Bebo Dugan of New Orleans, Louisiana.

Memorial contributions can be made to Crossroads Hospice and Palliative Care, Lenexa, Kansas.

Celebration of life to be determined at a later date.