Thomas (Tom) N. Kennedy, Sr.

Thomas (Tom) N. Kennedy, Sr.

1935 – 2020

Thomas “Tom” Nolan Kennedy, Sr. claimed victory over this life on May 12, 2020, at the age of 84. He walked with God on this earth and is now comforted by his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Tom was born on September 6, 1935 in Arkansas City, Kansas to Bert Nolan and Martha Marie Kennedy. He attended John Marshall High School in Oklahoma City where he graduated in 1954. During his time in high school, he met Etta Marie Wells, who attended Edmond High School. Tom was in the Army from 1955 – 1958 and served in the Korean Conflict. After returning home from the Korean Conflict, he attended Central State College in Edmond. He and Etta Marie were married on June 7, 1958 and were happily married for 61 years. Tom started working at Swanson Tire in Oklahoma City in 1961 and worked there for one year. He then went to work for BFGoodrich Tire Company and worked his way up to District Manager. After ten years with BFGoodrich, Tom went to work for Precision Tire in Oklahoma City as their general manager. Tom worked for Precision Tire for 3 years. In 1974, Tom opened up his own tire stores. He opened stores in Stillwater, Norman, Oklahoma City and Edmond. Tom owned and operated six tire stores and one body shop. Tom sold all stores except Edmond Tire Center and Ken’s Tire & Auto Service, which was in Oklahoma City. Tom served as a City Planning member from 1983-1985 and also as a City Council member from 1985-1993. Tom retired from the tire stores in 1988 and Edmond Tire Center later became Kennedy Tire & Auto Service. Tom enjoyed spending time with his family and had many hobbies such as refinishing antique furniture, wood carving, fishing, and traveling. Tom was preceded in death by his father, Bert Nolan Kennedy and his mother, Martha Marie Kennedy and his brother, Conard Kennedy. He is survived by his dedicated and loving wife, Etta Marie Kennedy, his brother, Richard Kennedy, his two children: his daughter, Tamara Roper, her husband Randy, and children, Kylie Mayes (Jordan) and Lanie Frye (Keeton), his son, Thomas “Tad” Nolan Kennedy, Jr., his wife, Karen, and children, Thomas “Trey” Nolan Kennedy, III (Katie) and Kaci Newton (Grant). He was a devoted member of Henderson Hills Baptist Church since 1964.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to American Macular Degeneration Foundation. You may give online or the address is PO Box 515 Northampton, MA 01061-0515.

Services Will be Saturday May 16^th at 2:00 p.m. at Matthews Funeral Home Chapel.

We will be live streaming this service in an effort to accommodate those people that wish to attend but are unable due to current restrictions. To watch the service CLICK HERE to go to our YouTube page. Then click on ‘Videos’ then ‘Live Streams’