Samuel James Kennedy

Samuel James Kennedy was born on May 16th, 1999 in Laguna Hills California to Scott, Angie, and big brother Terrance. He added so much texture to our now family of 4. He adored his big brother and was so excited for him to come home from school and play "little tiny legos" with him. He loved construction equipment, trash day, his "army guys", and Red Man (his stuffed red martian). We would often go to the park and he would spend the whole time standing at the fence to watch the construction project in the next lot. We welcomed his little brother, Spencer, when Sam was 2. Together, they were a force to be reckoned with. Sam was Spencer's person, the one he looked up to and counseled with. As they grew, they could finish each other's sentences. They had a beautifully orchestrated relationship which involved both having each other's backs and also calling each other out. I will never forget the night, just a few years ago, we were all celebrating my birthday. Spencer wasn't there. Sam picked up the phone, called Spence, and said "Bro, it's mom's birthday, get your ass home." Shortly thereafter, Spence made it home. We moved to Colorado when Sam was 5 and soon welcomed his little sister Lauryn, who he absolutely adored with all his heart. Not to say that he and Spence didn't mess with her. One Christmas, Sam and Spence both got army tanks from Santa. Lauryn was still crawling everywhere and they pretended she was a giant "Baby Zilla" trying to crush their tanks. It was a magical game of imagination, which was something Sam never lacked. When Lauryn started to talk, he was very relieved that she didn't "speak in Spanish." Sam loved the outdoors. From a very young age, he loved to dig, climb, and explore. The dirtier the better, we loved that so much about him. He was curious and very smart and loved to make concoctions and play in the rain. He went to his uncle's deer hunting camp in Minnesota twice and I think those were some of his favorite times. He loved to fish at his Grandma Jo's too. The last weekend we spent with him was in Gunnison visiting his little sister. We took him to Hartman Rocks and he said "I could live here forever." So, a part of him will. Sam also loved to "dress up" and we would make little masks and headwear for him. He liked to be Spiderman, a ninja, and a pirate. He loved big boxes too and one time, during his nap, Terrance and mom made him a little haunted house for him to crawl through. He was absolutely delighted. We also made him a cardboard car one day. He "drove it" for hours. One of his favorite characters to write and talk about was "Hot Lava Monster," a character he both created and revered. Sam's first trip to rehab was in 2015. We believe that the friends and connections he made at Cornerstone were the strongest of his life. They loved him so much but like us, couldn't save him. Needless to say, they have walked this journey with us, supporting us in every opportunity. His first heroin overdose was in 2017. Since then, he has been to numerous inpatient and outpatient rehabs. As time passed, he lost his zest for life. He spent time in prison, jail, and halfway houses. Throughout the whole time, until his last few months, he remained the Sam we knew when he wasn't high and at the same time, he remained committed to the drug. We never quit talking with him and exploring life and new ideas. His dad, mom, brothers, sister, friends, and extended family all marveled at his ability to converse and think outside the box. He was accepting, loving, and clever. He never had to be asked twice to help with a chore, even at the height of his addiction. He was smart, liked to create music and designed some amazing tattoos. He received his deep dive certificate in Utah on a trip with his mom. He also got to experience the air with a skydive on his 18th birthday. We desperately hoped that he would grab onto adrenaline but it was too late for that. He also loved to cook with his dad, brothers, and sister. Unfortunately, he never truly knew his place in the world. Towards the end of Sam's life, we chose to focus less on his addiction and more on him as a person. We realized that only he could choose to recover and we wanted to spend our precious time with him, getting to know him. We knew he could do great things in the world but it was up to him. Some of the best discussions of our lives were with him. He was a brilliant thinker. During his last months, meth started to take over his mind. We saw him change and desperately tried to call him back to us. We prayed so hard that he could feel our love enough to live. Unfortunately, that is not the way addiction works. Recovery is so incredibly painful that it takes absolute dedication, support, and willingness to the process. Sam died of drug related exposure. We are grateful that he knew he could have called us and devastated that he didn't. He knew that we would have moved heaven and earth for him. We will miss our Sam desperately but we are relieved that he is no longer in pain. We know that he did not want his time on earth to turn out this way and we are so grateful that we had 23 1/2 years with him. Sam leaves behind his Mom and Dad, Angie and Scott Kennedy, brothers Terrance(Ky) and Spencer, and sister Lauryn. His grandparents Jim and Rev Kennedy and his Grandma Jo Undem. His aunts and uncles Jan(Mark) Wortham, John(Linda) Undem, Sue Gorham, Allyn(Chris) Mattes, Lori(Ken) Feeken, Brent(Stacey) Kennedy-Smith, Kathy(Tony) Kennedy-Villani, Kristi Mendoza, and Jack(Jones) Kennedy-LeFae. He is also survived by his cousins Rhiannon(Phil), Whitney(Justin), Alex(Dave), Rachel(Jon), Brittany, Mikala(Dillan), Lisa(Scott) Todd, Christopher, Michael(Cristin), Connor(Ashley), Noah, Krystal(Ace), Brayden, Taylor, Sydney, Meilyn, Robin(Holly), and Aidan. He is also survived by his dear friend Amanda and many second cousins: Rowin, Sophia, Olivia, Piper, Ace, Ira, Corey, Troy, and Cody. Lastly, he is survived by his 4 legged friends that he loved: Luna, Olive, Pearl, and Spice. Sam was proceeded in death by his aunt Cynthia, Grandpa Dale, great grandmothers Fae, Mary, Esther, and Bertha. Great Grandpas Abner, Buzz, Roy, and Harold. Samuel James, you brought more light and life and humor to our family than you will ever know. Be free our son, we will love you forever. Where there is life, there is hope. All donations will be forwarded to Evan Fischer Foundation in Sam's name. Previous Events Memorial Service NOV 20. 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM (MT) Romero Family Funeral Home & Ft. Logan Mortuary - Lakewood 1805 S Sheridan Blvd Lakewood, CO 80232 [email protected] Loading map Reception NOV 20. 4:00 PM (MT) Home 515 S. Braun Circle Lakewood, CO 80228 Loading map