Gordon T. Kennedy
April 15, 1950 ~ March 31, 2011
Gordon 'Gordy' T. Kennedy, 60, of Cedar Rapids, died surrounded by his family on Thursday, March 31, 2011, at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids. Funeral Mass: 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 5, 2011, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, by Rev. Christopher Podhajsky. Visitation: 4 ' 8 p.m. on Monday at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, with a vigil service at 7 p.m. Burial: Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Survivors include his wife, Mary; mother, Betty Kennedy of Cedar Rapids; two daughters, Amy Soukup and Ashley Soukup; granddaughter, Emmy Baskerville; siblings, Cathy (Don) Jones of Cedar Rapids, Patricia (Steve) Hopkins of El Cajon, California, Mike Kennedy of Chicago, Illinois, Don Kennedy of Palm Springs, California, and Ron Kennedy of Cedar Rapids. Also nieces and nephews, Karie (Scott) Schroeder, Tim, Patrick and Kevin 'KJ' Jones, and Molly and Danielle Hopkins; his extended Rathje family; and his cat, Snoopie. Gordy was born April 15, 1950, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Herbert and Betty (Gordon) Kennedy. He attended Immaculate Conception and graduated from Regis High School in 1968 and Loras College in 1972. On May 19, 1994, Gordy married Mary Rathje in Cedar Rapids. He worked for Farmstead Foods and then the Cedar Rapids Community School District. Gordy was associated with the Iowa High School Athletics Association for 19 years, officiating for basketball, baseball, softball, and volleyball. He volunteered for the Iowa Special Olympics and spent a lot of time working with autistic and special needs kids with the Cedar Rapids Schools. Gordy enjoyed sports and was an avid Hawkeye, Cub and Packer fan. He and Mary did a lot of traveling to many destinations every year. Gordy was preceded in death by his father, Herbert. Memorials are suggested to the Iowa Special Olympics. The family requests those attending his visitation on Monday to wear the colors and clothing of the Iowa Hawkeyes.
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Gordy worked in my classroom numerous times over the years and I had the pleasure of working with him for an entire year several years ago. He was a kind and gentle man who worked with special needs children and made a difference in all of the lives he touched. He will be greatly missed as an educator and a friend. You are all in my thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
Gordon Kennedy family & friends,
My prayers and care join yours during this time. Gordy’s life touched so many. May his giftedness shared as husband, father, brother, son, and friend be a source of grace and comfort. ~~ Sr. Maurita Soukup, RSM
Gordy never once subbed at Kennedy High School that he didn’t find a minute to stop in and chat. I never met a kinder or more personable individual.
I feel honored that I got to know and work with you this last 15 years. You wsere loved and will missed by many. Thanks for touching our hearts
Gordy was one of those special souls that left a footprint on everyone he touched. My heart goes out to Mary and everyone else in Gordy’s family.
I have you in my thoughts and prayer, I only knew Gordy thru Mary and Barb at work, but he sounded like an awesome person.
Gordy was a very nice man who will be missed. I knew him from both special olympics and Kennedy High school where he subbed in my class room a number of times he always made me laugh. my prayers are with you guys at this difacutle time
Gordy was one of the kindest men I knew. We always enjoyed when Gordy became part of our team at Franklin Middle School for a just day or for weeks at a time. His smile, kindness, and extraordinary ability to relate to students and staff will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the family in a time of sudden loss. I hope you find peace in the memories.
To may officiating commrade, we worked many games together, all of them perfect, why? because you were there, I’m sorry I never took the time to tell you how much you meant to me. We will work together again, till then, miss you.
Gordy was an asset to the community and will be deeply missed. Rest in peace my friend
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Gordy was my Dad’s BEST friend. They liked to go golfing together and watch Iowa Hawkeye Games! He was always so much fun and will be missed! Iowa Football games will never be the same!
Goodbye, Gordy.
Mary, no words can express my heartfelt sympathy for you ar this time. Just know all your Rockwell family is thinking of you.
Oh Mary and girls,
I am so very sorry to hear of Gordys passing. Please know I am praying for you.
We ran up and down the court many times, my friend. I always knew working a game with you would be fun. There will be a void in many of our lives without you around.
One of the good ones has left us far too early.
Gordy will be sorely missed. He was so good with kids of all ages as he officiated many games for Cedar Valley. We will remember him fondly. May Mary and family be comforted by the legacy he has left and by the grace of God.
Our prayers and thoughts are with Gordy’s Family. My wife Christine had worked with Gordy a number of years back. I knew Gordy through our mutual officials Association out of Iowa City. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all. Gordy was a special person with a big heart!
David & Christine Miller
Gordy was such a good friend. We knew each other for over 35 years. He was always organizing some event to get friends together (The Gordy Open, trips to Cub games, watching Hawkeye football and the special one week trip to Kansas City and Chicago in 1976, just to name a few). I loved getting a phone call from him announcing a get-together coming up. There will be quite a void in my life without him. My prayer intentions are for Mary, Amy, Ashley, his mother Betty and Gordy’s Brothers and Sisters.
To the entire Kennedy family, please accept my condolences for the loss of such a wonderful husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle and friend….we are all so saddened by the sudden loss of such a wonderful person with a heart of gold. We would always be so excited to have Gordy sub for us at Jefferson and he’d always come in….coffee cup in hand and newspaper and He would always find me somewhere and address my “how’s is going Mayor?” and we’d chuckle over some of the going’s on around the city.
I can’t think of anyone who can fill his shoes….I’m going to miss you!!
Well, Gordy, we ran the basketball floor, worked the softball field, and even called a few volleyball games together. I enjoyed working with you, chatting with you, cheering the Hawks on, and seeing you at Cedar Valley now and again. You will be missed greatly, yet I know your memory will affect us all positively. My prayer for your family is that they can each find a measure of peace in the knowledge that you will be remembered fondly for a long time.
My condolences to Mary Kennedy and the entire Kennedy Family over the tragic loss of Gordie,I only knew him a short time but was most impresssed by his Love and support of his Family,there is a Special place in Heaven for Gordie
I will always remember Gordy for his compassion and patience with the students he worked with. As a staff person, you could always expect to be greeted with a smile and a quick conversation when he was at Jefferson.
Aunt Babe and Family –
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. Gordon will be missed.
Love to all –
Debbie
We extend our constant prayers for the entire family at the loss of your dear husband, father,son,uncle and friend. We have known Gordy through school and Special Olympics. His beautiful spirit and kindness will be greatly missed throughout the community.
Cole and I extend our deepest sympathy to you all. Gordy worked with Cole in BB at Jeff and also when he subbed there for Dirk Dunbar. And, he subbed for me sometimes at Washington. We are saddened by your sudden loss. The picture of him on this page—with a big smile—is how we fondly remember him. Cole and Trudy
Gordy was one of the nicest people we have ever known. We are very sorry for your loss.
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Gordy was a special man with a great heart. He blessed the lives of many students.He will be missed greatly!
To Mary and the rest of the family. My thoughts and prayers go out to each of you during this most difficult time. I can only imagine the since of loss you are feeling in your heart at this time. May our Loving God bring his peace and comfort upon each of you.
Chaplain Dan
Mercy Medical
Our thoughts and prayers are with Mary,Amy,Ashley and rest of the extended family. He was my best friend,best man at our wedding and his birthday was on our wedding day.The 30 years of trips to Wisconsin/Iowa game,Gordy Open,trips(early A.M) to the Hawkeye games and weekly phone calls to discuss the latest will never be forgotten.He taught our son Kyler as a sub at Harding and Kennedy and help bring a passion to him about Iowa football and golf that Kyler will carry forever. He was a a father,brother,son and friend to all but to me he is always be “The Captain”
“Gordy, you were a true friend! I’ll miss our long Hawk talks and going to the Hawk games together!”
Gordy loved his Bloody Marys, so I canned Bloody Mary mix every Fall for him. Gordy, I will miss you! When I have a Bloody Mary, I will be having one for you too! As you would shout when the Hawks scored a TD “Hoist ‘Em!” You will always be my Best friend!!
Mary, I am so very sorry to hear of Gordy’s passing. You and your family have my deepest sympathies.
My prayers are with the Kennedy family and all of Gordy’s friends. What a wonderful man. Gordy subbed in our room many times and was on our “request” list if Teacher was going to be gone. He was always willing to go the extra mile and I have been blessed by knowing him. Gordy you will be missed greatly. See you again. RIP ~ Rejoicing in Paradise.
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No one could spin a story like Gordy!! We will miss his smile and his positive outlook.
God bless him; and all of his family and friends.
Mary and Girls, Thinking of you during this difficult time.
As a person who is never at a loss for words, Gordys’ passing has left me speechless. Gordy was such a special guy whom you couldn’t help but love. His smile and laugh was contagious! He knew how to get people rolling and having fun! He has a left a whole in the hearts of so many,but also has left everyone who crossed paths with him so many memories that will live on forever! Our family along with many others are very saddened by his passing! Gordy and his family are in our prayers!
Rest in peace in the arms of the Lord…We will miss your smiling face. Thanks for all the dedicated subbing you did, Gordy.
The world was a better place for having had Gordy Kennedy in it. We celebrate what a wonderful contribution he made to our community and the education of our youth. He was a friend to all. Fun to be around. A joy to talk to, he will be missed. In sports he was fair and interested. He made everyone want to be better too. I was privileged to work with him in the E.S.C.-Cedar Rapids Community Schools. He was a gentle man who impacted many students lives. My favorite breaks and late lunches were spent with Gordy’s kids in the halls and Cafe. He worked tirelessly for the Autistic students. His love for Sports was apparent. He umped many a game, fairly of course. Working with him in Athletics, (I was in Payroll) he made everything interesting and fun. Even tracking down paperwork or a signature was a joy, because Gordy was on the other end with a smile and an answer. Our children remember him from Sports, the Martinez family from the old neighborhood. The work with the Special Olympics was typical Gordy. Sincere and with all of his heart. Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled challenged, assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash. At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish and win. All, that is, except one boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times and began to cry. The other eight heard the boy cry. They slowed down and looked back. They all turned around and went back. Every one of them. One girl with Down’s Syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, “This will make it better.” All nine linked arms and walked across the finish line together.
Gordy was an amazing man and had a heart of gold. His Kennedy High School family will miss him so very much as will many of us involved with special education. I don’t ever remember him without a smile on his face and I never heard an unkind word from him in all the years I knew him. My thoughts and prayers to his family and loved ones.
Mary and Family,
Our prayers are with you and your family. Gordy was a great guy and a great friend!
Jim & Sue Muench
Dear Mary and family- Our deepest sympathy to all of you. Certainly didn’t expect to hear that Gordy passed away. Paul called us this evening and shared the news. Again our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love Lyle and Doris
I knew Gordy through youth sports and Special Olympics. I would also see him substitute teaching at some of the schools where I work. Three weeks ago, Gordy and I had lunch together at Washington high school. We talked for about 30 minutes and “as always” it was great visiting with him. He was a good friend that I will miss dearly.
Mary and Ashley,
I am sorry for your loss. Gordie was a great guy. I knew him through adult softball leagues, Kennedy activities and teaching, and volleyball. We always talked about the Kennedy volleyball program and volleyball officiating. We will miss his smiling face at Kennedy.
One of the most easy going,quiet officials I have worked with. I will miss him.
Mary,
I am so sorry to learn of your loss. Gordy’s service as a referee has touched the lives of so many youth. I know his presence at Central will be greatly missed. May God provide you with his unending love and support in the days ahead.
Gordy you will be greatly missed.You were a person that would help out anytime you could. The time you spent sports officiating,,teaching, and family time will always be remembered. You touch a lot of people lifes in many ways. I appreciate the time we had together officiating and all the tournaments you worked for me.You are light of the candle that keeps burning.It is time for you to rest in peace but your spirit lives on forever. By the way we will always root for the Black and Gold of Iowa
You were great supporter of the Iowa Hawkeyes.
God Bless You
I have very fond memories of Gordy when we were kids in the old neighborhood in the mid ’60s. Shooting baskets for hours and talking sports and dreaming of later playing for the Hawkeyes. He was a good man.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Love the Ironsides
I had the pleasure to officiate with Gordy many times and have him officiate games I have coached. Gordy had one priority always; the players. He loved being around the kids. He was always a bright spot in every game he officiated. His smile told you everything about who he was. He was a fine example of what officials are supposed to be.
He is a friend that I will miss very much. May God comfort and bless his family
You have my sincerest condolences on the loss of Gordy. I met Gordy in a professional manner while at Washington High School. He was a truly special man and will be dearly missed.
Gordy subbed in our building many times over the years and it was always great to see him. We had many great discussions about basketball, football, and officiating in general. He often times had a great story about a game he had worked or wanted to know how our team was doing. Gordy had the ability to walk into any situation and make it instantly better. He will be missed.
Mary,
My sincerest condolences to your family. Gordy was a wonderful sub in the work experience program for the Cedar Rapids School District. He will be missed.
Nancy Hoffman CRCSD Transition/Work Experience Coach
Gordy will truly be missed by staff and students at JHS. Gordy was always smiling and positive and a wonderful person. Our thoughts are with your families.
Your smile and great sense of helping will be missed by students and staff. I always appreciated your caring manner with all you came in contact with each day. Be at peace.
Dear Mary,
I was so, so sorry to hear about Gordy’s passing. You guys were a great couple and I loved getting to see you together! He was a neat person and he will be missed. My prayers are with you and your family during this tough time. Love, Lois
I certainly will miss my friend and officiating partner Gordy..Whether working Softball, baseball, basketball or whatever sport..Gordy, made officiating fun the way it was supposed to be..We had many stories to tell along the way..Whether it was running into a deer on the way home from a basketball game…Or me losing my car at a Minnesota-Iowa football game..We really enjoyed our trips to Wendys…or wherever after the games..will be missed as well…..
When I came to Cedar Rapids in 1976, I knew one person, who happened to know Gordo. Within 2 weeks I knew 50 or more. Gordy’s radiant personality was something to experience, and something that will never be forgotten. I never once saw Gordy without a smile on his face, and an uplifting story to tell. Only after a Hawkeye loss, would it take a few minutes for him to recover, and be the same Gordy. He certainly was an organizer, and was always on a mission to get friends together. You will always be the “Captain” to me, and I will not forget the many softball, basketball, and golf outings over the years. It seems the good people have to leave this world much too soon. I will miss you, my friend.
My heartfelt condolences to Mary and the entire family.
Hatch
Gordy was one of those people who was always willing to help in any way he could for anyone who needed it with a smile on his face. Amazing guy. He will be missed. God bless.
Gordy was the best. Any time he was working in the building he always made time to stop by our room to say hi and ask how the kids were doing. It was such a pleasure to have known such a wonderful, caring guy. Kennedy high school and our kids will miss you dearly.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I met Gordy when he came to the hospital to visit my mom in Hospice and later came to her visitation. They had both worked with special needs kids in the Cedar Rapids School District. It was so nice of him to take the time to stop in and visit us. My sympathy to you all. Sincerely, Lu Patterson-Sisco
We are very sorry for him to go in peace and bless you all the families as yours in our prayers….
Gordy always was an exemplary example of a selfless pure hearted human being that found the good in all he encountered. He had a very easy-going persona that was accompanied by a contagious smile that warmed those he was with. He officiated countless basketball games of all 3 of my kids, as well as those I coached at Trinity and Jefferson. His demeanor on and off the court, and in the clasroom, is one to be admired. I will miss our lunch and prep discussions regarding all ranges of topics, especially the basketball and baseball stories. May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Roger
Gordy will be greatly missed by so many; but especially those of us who had the pleasure of knowing him as a wonderful “guest teacher” in our classes. His warm smile and upbeat personality was always a joy. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Sorry to hear of Gordy’s passing, our prayers and thoughts are with you all
Mary and Family,
you are in my thoughts and prayers at this time.
Gordy
I’ve known Gordy for almost twenty years as he would come to subsitute at Washington High School and later at the Transition Center. I always knew I was in good hands when I saw Gordy walking through that door.
Later we were to discover a connection when we discovered my daughter was going to marry into a family
that Gordy had been close to for years. He and Mary came to the wedding knowing both the bride and the groom.
I will truly miss this coworker and friend and wish the best for his family.
Laura
Gordon will be missed by many for sure. He was kind to everyone he met. Aunt Babe, Coustins-Pat, Cathy, Mike, Donnie, Ronnie and to all your family members we are sorry for your loss. Mary and the girls made Gordon very happy and we are sorry for your loss. We live with his memories and i am glad to have been related to him. Gordon was always interested in sports and cared for others first.
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Gordy, you will be misses, thoughts and prayers with the rest of your family. I wish times were still as simple when you were revving basketball games and calling technical fouls on me because I was a brat! Rest well and god bless.
“I have it cleared for you to call it in for Thursday and Friday if you still need me to sub. Looking forward to it and working with Eric”. Thanks, Gordy
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Just a recent example of how much Gordy enjoyed working with kids and embraced the challenges that my students could bring. We feel blessed and honored to have had him as a guest teacher and comrade over the many years.
May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
And rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.
Slainte, Gordo!
Becky Jo and Co.
I was an instructor at Loras so I knew Gordy from the classroom and through the intramural program. He strived for success in both areas and accomplished that as you would expect him to do.
SORRY his smiling face is no longer with us.
I attended Loras College with Gordy. So sorry to hear of his passing. Truly a great guy who made so many kids feel important – what a legacy! Well done Gordy!
Gordy was a real class act and will be missed by many teachers and students in the CR school district. Gordy subbed for me often and did a great job. He always had a smile on his face and big hello whenever you crossed paths with him. What a great loss…Gordy’s family is in my prayers and I look forward to seeing his shining face again someday when I join him on the other side.
I was a classmate of Gordie’s at Loras. He had a heart of gold. He in a better place.
Kevin Chapman
Mount Prospect Ill
When I was in Ms. Biedenbach’s class he helped me with school work. I am sorry he died. He used to say hi to us in the hall all the time. sorry to hear he had diabetes, my dad has that too.
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I’m so sorry to hear of Gordy’s passing. I only noticed it on Ashley’s FB page this week. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. All the wonderful memories you have will keep Gordy alive in your hearts.
Mrs. Kennedy and Family,
I am sitting here this morning at my computer with tears in my eyes. I had no idea Gordy had passed away until I started doing a search for some of my friends who attended Loras College with me. I am sorry for your loss, I am sorry for my loss. Gordy and I were roommates at school for 2 years. We played on the same baseball, basketball and softball intramural teams and of course we drank a lot of beer together. If you have an old Loras yearbook you can look up our intramural champion teams, we were called the Steamrollers. We also refereed intramural basketball, softball and volleyball together. He was always a good friend, kind and generous. After graduation we kept in touch in a hit or miss way. I traveled a lot and my job sometimes took me to Cedar Rapids. Gordo and I would always have dinner together then go someplace to drink beer and watch a ballgame. I looked forward to my visits to town because we always had a good time catching up on each others lives. Unfortunately we fell out of touch. Yea, I was always going to call him and invite him up to Minnesota when the Hawks played the Gophers but I never did. How stupid I feel now. I am sorry that this message is going to you so many months after Gordy’s passing and I hope you get to read it. I hope your life is going well and if you would ever like to talk more about Gordy with me I will include my personal information for you. God Bless You and again my sympathy on your loss. John Flynn Loras College Class of ’72