Rev. Ted Henderson Kennedy, Jr.

March 5, 1948 ~ May 11, 2025

It is with the most profound sadness that we announce that Ted Kennedy passed away, unexpectedly, on Sunday morning, May 11, 2025, from a cardiac event at his home. His son Matthew was with him at the time. He was the longtime Pastor of Triumph Evangelical Free Lutheran Church in Nogales, Arizona. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ted Kennedy, Sr, and Amalia (Molly) Kennedy, as well as his sister Betty and half-sister Helen. He is survived by his wife, Karla Dynneson Kennedy, and their two sons, David (Maria) Kennedy and Matthew Kennedy, as well as his brother Larry (Isabel) Kennedy and sister, Sandra (Francisco) Carrillo, as well as many nieces and nephews.

He enrolled at the California Lutheran Bible School in 1966 and graduated in 1968. The following year, on August 30, 1969, he married Karla Dynneson, also from Nogales. Ted and Karla remained in California for several years. Ted attended Los Angeles City College and California State University and obtained a BA in Recreational Education in 1973. During that time, he coached the basketball team at the Bible School and worked several jobs.

They moved to Minnesota in 1976, where Ted enrolled in the Association of Free Lutheran Seminary.
He was ordained into the ministry in 1979 and moved back to Nogales to serve as pastor of Triumph Lutheran, the church he grew up in. He faithfully served there for 40 years.

While serving as pastor, he pursued further education, focusing on counseling. In 1998, he completed his studies and received a master’s degree from the University of Phoenix. He worked as a counselor at Desert Shadows Middle School until his retirement. He was active in the Nogales Lions Club and was well known in the community. Above all, he sincerely enjoyed spending time with his family.

This August, he and Karla will have been married for 56 years! In recent years, Ted has been the full-time caregiver for Karla, whose health issues require full-time care. As the family grieves, they also continue to make arrangements for her continued care. Please pray for guidance as the two sons have much to deal with.

Ted was a much-admired and proud member of the NHS Class of 1966. He was known for his abilities as a State-Champion Catcher on the 1965 Baseball State Championship team. He also played clarinet with the Nogales High School Band. Ted enjoyed working with people and loved his work as a Lutheran Pastor and High School Guidance Counselor. He is recognized for his expertise in everything he was involved in.

Everyone was invited to join his congregation to celebrate his life in loving memory on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Triumph Evangelical Free Lutheran Church, 429 E Patagonia Highway, Nogales, AZ. 85621. Following the service, there was food and a gathering for all attendees. Inurnment at the Nogales Cemetery followed at 3 p.m. Adair Caroon Mortuary in Nogales, Arizona, handled all final arrangements. Burial followed at the church's plot in the Nogales Cemetery.

Instead of flowers, memorial gifts can be given to a charity of your choice, or the Ted Kennedy Memorial Fund, c/o Triumph Lutheran Church, 429 E. Patagonia Hwy, Nogales, Arizona 85621