Jonathon Wallace Kennedy - Obituary

onathon “Jon” Wallace Kennedy, 78, of Forest Heights, MD, passed away on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at home surrounded by his family. He was born on April 7, 1945 in Fountain Hill, Pennsylvania to the late Rev. Elmer Diehl Kennedy, Sr. (Founder of El Shaddai Assembly of God Church, Nazareth, PA) and the late Madeline (Wallace) Kennedy. He was the step-son of the late Ruth (Muffley) Flamisch Kennedy. Upon graduation from High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1962. While serving in Vietnam, Jon met and later married his wife Muoi “Thiem” Tang on December 25, 1968, in Siagon, Vietnam. They would have celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary this Christmas Day. From this union came two children, Marilyn and Jonathon II. In January 1980, Jon moved his family to Forest Heights, MD where he lived until his death. Jon was active in his town and was proud to put Forest Heights rather than Oxon Hill as his place of residence. Jon was a champion for the “Underdog”. In his eyes, right was right and wrong was wrong. He didn’t care who you were, he would speak out on your behalf if he felt that you were being wronged. He would find ways to help those in need and never wanted any recognition. His family and friends knew that if they needed help with anything he was the man to go to. Jon proudly served in the U.S. Navy for twenty years (1962-1982). His tours included Italy; Siagon, Vietnam; Taipei, Taiwan; Arlington, VA and Saudi Arabia. Upon retiring on April 30, 1982, as a Chief Petty Officer, he worked as an Office Manager for Techplan Corporation, Arlington, VA and a Nurse Recruiter for Hadley Memorial Hospital, Washington D.C. On September 30, 1993, Jon turned his lifelong hobby of stamp collecting, from the age of five, into a business. For the last 30 years, he was the proud owner of Kennedy’s Stamps and Coins in Springfield, VA. He ran his business solo for many years until his wife Thiem retired from her job to assist him with daily operations. Their son, Jonathon assisted on weekends and categorized inventory. Jon ran an eclectic shop, but one thing that was for sure, he knew where everything was kept. He leaves to cherish his memory: his beloved wife Muoi; his daughter Marilyn (Jason) Baytop of Manchester, MD, his son Jonathon II, of Forest Heights, MD; his “favorite” grandson Jason Baytop, Jr., of Midlothian, VA and his “favorite” granddaughter Ciara Baytop, of Glen Burnie, MD; sister Cathrine Heckman, of Enid, OK; half-sister Rose (Brian) Kromer, of Nazarath, PA; sister-in-law Omegene Kennedy, of Nazarath, PA; four sisters-in law; six brothers-in-law; four step-brothers; two step-sisters; and many nieces, nephews, and their extended families. Relatives and friends are invited to gather on Friday, August 25th from 6-8 PM at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory: 6160 Oxon Hill road Oxon Hill, MD 20745. There will be another opportunity to gather on the following day, Saturday August 26th from 10-11 AM. The funeral service will begin at 11 AM on Saturday August 26th at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory.