Jacob Kennedy

A Celebration of Life for Jacob Duane Kennedy, 16, will be held Saturday, July
8, 2006 at 9 a.m. outdoors at the Mustang Stadium of Natrona County High
School. He died in a three-vehicle accident on highway 220 on July 4 on his
way to watch fireworks at the summer job he loved at Alcova Lakeside Marina.
He was born April 4, 1990 at the Casper Birthing Center to Joe L. and Brenda
(Lease) Kennedy. As a young boy, he was full of curiosity and busy all the
time. He was so fond of company that he would cry when visitors left because
he didn't want the fun to end.
He never met a stranger and enjoyed having people around him. His chalk-board
painted closet doors are covered with the names of friends who came to visit.
He lit up any room just by being in it, and no act of kindness was too great
to make someone else have a better day.
He attended Pineview Elementary, CY Junior High and planned to attend NCHS
this fall. His recent life was all about sports; he was known for his speed,
agility, and strength. He was a committed team member who swam, played
volleyball, basketball, football, wrestled, ran track, and recently took up
golf. He was a member of the Casper Express Basketball Team for two years. He
excelled in math and science, and his dream was to play football or basketball
in college.
He and his sister were Casper Star-Tribune carriers for eight years.
He was a loving son, devoted brother, caring grandson, nephew, cousin and dear
friend to many. He had strong faith in God, loved his family and school,
feared nothing and planned to be famous.
He is survived by his parents and sister, Abegail, of Casper; grandparents
Wilbur and Norma Lease, Newcastle; aunts Julie Lease-Firebaugh and husband
Bob, Douglas; Connie Wenzel and husband Chris, Torrington; Deb Kennedy,
Riverton; uncles Harold Lease, Gillette; John Kennedy, Sundance; Phil Thurman,
Newcastle; cousins and a large extended family. He was preceded in death by
his paternal grandparents Duane "Buck" and MaryAnn Kennedy and his aunt Kathy
Thurman.
The family encourages those who attend Saturday's life celebration to dress in
NCHS's orange and black. A scholarship fund has been established at Hilltop
National Bank in memory of Jacob and his friend who died with him, Emily
Milliken.