James William ‘Sarge’ Kennedy, Jr.

1940-2013

James William “Sarge” Kennedy, Jr., of Red Bluff, Calif., passed away at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento on Friday, March 1, 2013, at the age of 72, from congestive heart failure/aortic valve stenosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder.

Sarge was born in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Oct. 6, 1940, and is survived by his wife, Patricia Kennedy of Red Bluff; former wife, Lorene Dunaway of Eureka, Calif.; brother, Charles Kennedy of Napa; children, Mark Kennedy, Sean Kennedy, Erin Hollis, Joy O’Donnell, Jennifer McGregor and Dayna Hardee; grandchildren, Samantha Webb, Amber Gifford, Mykela Raiff, Connor Hollis, Colton Hollis, Jacob Hardee, Sean A. McGregor; and great-grandchildren, Aurora Webb and William Webb.

Sarge graduated from Napa Community College in 1961 (associate of arts degree in general studies and journalism), San Francisco State College in 1964 (bachelor of arts in public administration), and San Francisco State University in 1971 (master of education degree in the education of exceptional children). During his undergraduate career at San Francisco State, he also served as director of student activities.

Sarge committed more than 42 years of his life to increasing educational opportunities and services for children living with disabilities locally, nationally and internationally. Within his commitment to special education funding and policy development, Sarge worked for 39 years as a special education fiscal and policy consultant for the Greater California Alliance for Special Education Resources, the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team, and for 19 years, as assistant superintendent of special education programs and SELPA Management for the Tehama County Department of Education. Additionally, Sarge worked for the U.S. Department of Defense to ensure special education program implementation for military dependents overseas.

Sarge was a member of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and the Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE) since 1971.

He served as the treasurer for the California units of the two organizations for many years, and took an active role in state and international governance. He was also an active member of the Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) directors association. Sarge was highly regarded in these organizations and was the recipient of numerous awards in recognition of his service to children and youth with disabilities.

Sarge especially loved mentoring upcoming professionals and was well known for his wonderful sense of humor. His special interests included the history of music and sports, travel, animals of all kinds, Spanish, Portuguese and Cajun cultures, fundraising and crewing for the annual MS Challenge Walk, and spending time with family and friends.

A private family memorial service is being planned for June. The California State Council for Exceptional Children (CS CEC) is planning to establish a scholarship in the name of Sarge Kennedy.

The family requests donations be mailed to CS CEC, P.O. Box 4223, Huntington Beach, CA 92605. Checks should be made payable to CS CEC with “Sarge Kennedy Scholarship Fund” in the memo line.