Paul Gordon Kennedy was born on March 2, 1930, in Grafton, ND, to Frank and Leona (Zolandek) Kennedy. After graduating from Grafton High School, he worked for the REA and J.C. Penny Company. He was working for them when the Company C National Guard Unit was activated. He went to Camp Rucker in Alabama in January of 1951, and to Korea in August of 1951. Paul was discharged from the Army in June, 1952. He attended college at the University of North Dakota and Aakers Business College, from which he graduated in 1955. On September 5, 1952, he was united in marriage to Maryann Blanchard. While in business school, he started working for the S & L Department Chain and worked for them in Grafton, Grand Forks, and Jamestown, ND. In 1961, he was transferred to Ironwood, MI, as Store Manager. He later moved to Cloquet, MN, and in 1964 moved to Marshal to manage the S & L store, later the Bostwick Store at the mall. Paul was active in many organizations including the JCs, Chamber of Commerce, Lions, Knights of Columbus, VFW, American Legion, and Eagles Club. He retired in 1986 when the S & L chain went out of business. Paul loved gardening, woodworking, collecting and going to flea markets and antique shows hunting, camping, feeding birds, maintaining wood duck houses, spending time with family and teaching his cockatiel, Bill, to talk and do tricks.
Paul died on Monday, January 7, 2008, at his residence in Marshall after a long struggle with Alzheimerâs disease.
He is survived by his wife, Maryann, children Deb (Mike) Lee of Redfield, SD, Douglas (Janelle) of Madison, MN, Michael (JoAnn) of Coon Rapids, Kevin (Jill) of Buford, GA, Brian (Glenda) of Madison, 20 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, one brother, Bill, in Napa, CA, several brothers and sisters in law and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his daughter Lori of Beaumont, TX, parents, four sisters and three brothers.