David Matthew Kennedy, 90, passed away at his home in Salt Lake City on May 1, 1996, surrounded by his family.
He was born July 21, 1905 in Randolph, Utah, and was the fourth of five sons of George and Katherine Johnson Kennedy. He married Lenora Bingham on November 4, 1925 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Shortly thereafter, he was called on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to England where he served under James E. Talmage and John A. Widtsoe. After almost 70 years of marriage, his beloved Lenora died August 24, 1995, and he has looked forward to a joyous reunion with her ever since.He graduated from Weber College in Ogden, Utah, earned his law degree from George Washington University in Washington D.C., and passed the bar before the Supreme Court of the United States. He also earned an advance banking degree from Rutgers School of Banking in New Jersey. Later in life, he received numerous honorary doctorate degrees.
David worked for the Federal Reserve Board in Washington D.C. and then for the Continental Illinois National Bank and Trust Company of Chicago, becoming Chairman of the Board in 1959. Under his leadership, the Continental Bank became the seventh largest bank in the United States and established branches in many foreign countries. He served as Secretary of the Treasury during President Richard M. Nixon's first term in office, Ambassador at Large for the U.S., and U.S. Ambassador to Nato while still retaining his cabinet post.
His many callings in the Mormon Church included Bishop of the Capitol Ward in Washington D.C. and Counselor in the Stake Presidency of the Chicago Stake for 16 years. At 69 years of age, he was called as Special Representative of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a calling which President Spencer W. Kimball said he had been preparing for all of his life. He served as spokesman for the First Presidency in countries all over the world and was instrumental in obtaining recognition of the Mormon Church world wide. After he was released as Special Representative of the First Presidency, he taught at the David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies at Brigham Young University. He was also a faithful home teacher until the end of his life.
David M. Kennedy was a "citizen of the world" who never lost the common touch. His life was devoted to service to his family, his church, his community, and his country. Throughout the world, he is known and respected by friends who love him. His family has been blessed by his quiet counsel and example of service.
He is survived by his four daughters: Marilyn Taylor and husband, Verl, Barbara Law and husband, Carl, Carol Davis and husband, Ben, all of Salt Lake City; and Patricia Campbell and husband, Lewis of Pleasant View. He has 25 grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. His oldest grandson preceded him in death.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday in the Mt. Olympus 4th Ward Chapel, 4176 South Adonis Drive (3950 East). Friends may call Sunday 6 to 8 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 Highland Drive and Monday at the Ward Chapel from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment, Randolph Cemetery, Randolph, Utah.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies at Brigham Young University Provo, Utah.
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