Walking On: Vernon Shake Spear Kennedy

Vernon Shake Spear Kennedy

April 15, 1948 – Nov. 15, 2024

Tribal spouse Vernon Shake Spear Kennedy passed away on Friday, Nov. 15, at the age of 76 at Elk Lodge in Grand Ronde.

Vernon was born on April 15, 1948, in McDermitt, Nevada, the son of Lester and Doris Governor Kennedy.

Vernon attended elementary school in Burns, Oregon, and attended Anadarko High School in Anadarko, Oklahoma. Vernon received his GED and continued his schooling at Central Oregon Community College, receiving his paramedic certificate and license. He was a paramedic and firefighter for the Warm Springs Tribe and served in the U. S. Marine Corps.

Vernon married Cheryle Ann Allen on July 28, 1968, in Warm Springs and the couple celebrated 56 years of marriage.

Vernon also worked with his father, who was an excellent mechanic and taught those skills to Vernon. He later studied to become a mechanic in Portland at ITT. He was a member of the Burns-Paiute Tribe and served as the Tribal chair for two terms starting in 1980.

The family came to Salem in 1984 and settled in Dallas, Oregon, in 1985. Vernon attended woodworking school in Seattle and later attended Chemeketa Community College, becoming a certified prevention counselor working in Grand Ronde.

He was a teacher and an accomplished guitar player. He taught many how to play the flute, guitar and drums. He was an artist and loved freestyle drawing and painting.

Vernon also enjoyed hunting, fishing, singing, drumming and was a traditional dancer. In 2006, he was in the movie “The Legend of Tillamook’s Gold” along with his granddaughter.

He was also athletic and liked playing softball and basketball. He enjoyed making Native regalia. Paiute was his first language and English was second.

Vernon was well-known for his storytelling. He was always joking, laughing and joyful. He was the leader of All Nations Drum. Vernon loved people and served in many capacities, including going to prisons to conduct sweats and drum.

He is survived by his wife, Cheryle; son, Marcel Allen; daughter, Tamara Kennedy; and grandchildren, Orin-John, Leah, Synon, Marcel, Kaleb, Grace, Bella, Laityn and Germaine. He was preceded in death by his son Avery Kennedy on Oct. 2, 1970.

A viewing was held on Wednesday, Nov. 20, and funeral services were held Thursday, Nov. 21, at the Tribal gym followed by a gravesite service at the Tribal Cemetery and a meal at the Community Center.

Bollman’s Tribute Center assisted the family.