Fredric Wymess Kennedy

Fredric Wymess Kennedy, Sr. 1929-2016 Fredric Wymess Kennedy, Sr., 86, of Pensacola, FL, was called home February 28, 2016 after a long battle with heart disease. “Fred” was a loving husband to his dearest Hilda Tina (or “Teeny” to her family) Kennedy for 58 years, until her death in January of 2009. To Fred, Tina was the love of his life, and meant everything to him. They are back together again, in the Glory of God. Fred is survived by his five children, Deborah Lynn Sailors (Donald, Sr.) of Pensacola, FL, Nancy Lee Corbin (Tom) of Havelock, NC, Dorothy Stamouils (John) of Pensacola, FL, Fredric Wymess Kennedy, Jr. (Karen) of Pensacola, FL, and Charles William Kennedy (Sherry) of Carriere, MS; ten grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. Shortly after graduating from Seminole High School in Sanford, FL, Fred joined the US Navy. He enlisted as soon as he could, towards the end of WWII. He was quickly chosen to attend flight training at NAS Pensacola. While stationed in Pensacola, he met Tina and they married shortly afterwards at St. Stephans Catholic Church. After the Navy, Fred went into civilian life, but longed for the service again, so he joined the Air Force. Turning down an appointment to the newly established Air Force Academy, Fred was assigned to the “Texas Towers”, a series of Radar installations in the Northern Atlantic Ocean. Oddly, Fred would become a ships master in the Air Force, and a pilot in the Navy. Using his expertise in Navigation and seamanship, he ran “Crash Boats” in several locations. He served in the Air Force through the Korean Conflict and the Cuban Missile Crisis. In the mid-1960’s, Fred left the Air Force and enlisted in the US Army as a Chief Warrant Officer. He was stationed at Fort Eustis in Newport News, VA, where he taught navigation and seamanship. In 1966, Fred volunteered to go to Vietnam. In Vietnam, Fred was a heavy boat captain, running many tug boats, cargo vessels and LCU’s. He served two 1 ½ year deployments in Vietnam. In the early 1970’s, Fred was ready to retire from his long and distinguished military career after 27 years. Longing for the beaches, raw oysters and fried mullet, Fred and Tina returned to Pensacola. Shortly after settling down in Pensacola, Fred joined the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department. Fred worked or commanded Patrol, Crime Scene Investigation, administration, the Jail and Warrants & Extraditions. Fred’s favorite position was as Patrol shift commander, where he was very close to his officers. He was an expert in Crime scene analysis and was one of the premier fingerprint experts in the Southeastern United States where he was called to testify in many cases as an expert witness. Fred retired from the Sheriff’s Department as a Captain in 1994. Pop loved his wife and family more than life itself. He gave much to us, including the lasting memories of his gentle and loving nature, and his and our Mother’s faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Fred was a devout Catholic, attending St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Bellview since 1972. Fred was a patriot and was forever grateful to his country for all of his opportunities, and loved serving in the military. The word “hero” has many meanings, and Fred was truly a great hero, meeting every word of the definition. Visitation will be at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South Thursday, March 3, 2016 from 5:30-7:00pm with the rosary at 5:00pm. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00am, Friday, March 4, 2016 at St. Anne Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery. FAITH CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME SOUTH, 100 Beverly Parkway, Pensacola is entrusted with the arrangements. You may express your condolences online at www.fcfhs.com

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Fredric Wymess Kennedy

December 11, 1929 - February 28, 2016