John Patrick "Jack" Kennedy Sr.

John Patrick Kennedy, 91, of Asheville, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on October 21, 2022.

Known by all as Jack, he was born in Brooklyn, NY, the son of Daniel and Mary (McTeague) Kennedy. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1951 to 1954. He graduated from Utah State University in 1958 with a B.S. degree in Forest Management and spent his career with the U.S. Forest Service. He proudly served as the District Ranger on the Grandfather District of the Pisgah National Forest from 1968 to 1979. During his time as District Ranger, he developed a deep love for the mountains of western NC and upon retirement from the U.S. Forest Service he returned to Asheville. He was an active resident of the Bella Vista Retirement Community where he was a friend to many. He was a loving Grandfather to his seven grandchildren. He will be greatly and deeply missed by all who knew him.

Jack is survived by his three children, John Kennedy (Kimberly), of North Carolina, Mary Noll (Barry), of Georgia, and Kim Matyskiela (Rich), of North Carolina; and his seven grandchildren, Rachel, Brian and Matthew Kennedy, Daniel and Joey Noll, and Richie and Michael Matyskiela.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, November 7, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. in the chapel of the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, 962 Old US Highway 70, Black Mountain 28711. Jack will be inurned in the cemetery following the service.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Jack’s memory to the G5 Trail Collective, a non-profit organization working towards trail development on the Grandfather Ranger District in Old Fort, NC. Donations may be made online www.G5trailcollective.org or checks may be mailed to: G5 Collective P.O. Box 490 Old Fort, NC 28762. Please be sure to include Jack’s name on the donation. Thank you!