Master and Commander
Posts: 1376
Location: NE Florida | Subject: Thursday Obit
https://www.facebook.com/ussvi.eternalpatrol/
The above link goes to the USSVI (United States Submarine Veterans, Inc.) Facebook page where their members who have gone on “Eternal Patrol” are noted.
I’ll keep my work here going, trying to get others who were not USSVI members. You’re encouraged to look there as well as here! Obviously, there’ll be some I miss and some I duplicate.
KENNEDY .. .. .. Matthew James Kennedy, 43, of Mitchell passed away January 29, 2026, in Mitchell. He was born September 1, 1982, in Bismarck, ND to Mark and Judy (Baron) Kennedy. He spent most of his childhood growing up in Indiana near Fort Wayne, where the family grew with the birth of his sisters, Elizabeth (Liz) and Sarah. In 1998, the family moved back to Bismarck, where Matt graduated from Shiloh Christian School. In high school he played basketball and cross-country running, helping to bring his team to the state competition.
Matt enjoyed spending time hunting and playing golf with his grandfather, Roger Kennedy. All through high school, Matt had three best friends who remained his friends into adulthood. The group of four would gather in Matt’s basement to play Dungeons & Dragons with Matt’s dad acting as the Game Master. He brought this love of gaming everywhere he went and began teaching the game to his children.
Matthew proudly served in the U.S. Navy for nine years as a nuclear electrician, obtaining the rank of Electrician’s Mate 1st class Petty Officer. He received numerous medals of service that reflected his sharp intellect and strong sense of duty. During his Navy career he was stationed on submarines out of Bremerton, WA and San Diego, CA. After his military service, he returned to Bismarck, where he worked for a variety of local and regional businesses before entering the oil fields with H&P. He later continued his technical career with Diebold Nixdorf.
In July of 2018, Matt responded to a friend request from Kayla (Boysen) and the first thing she asked was if she knew him. This struck up a Facebook conversation that lasted for two months before they met in person and started dating. Before Matt met Kayla, his family was convinced he would remain a bachelor for life. On May 30, 2020, Matthew married the love of his life, Kayla. She brought a son, Charlie, to the union, and in 2021, the family of three welcomed Evelyn. Together, the family made their home in Mitchell, where Matthew was employed by Graphic Packaging International and built a life centered on family, friendship, and community. Matthew was deeply involved in the Society for Creative Anachronisms, where he was known as a skilled armorer, heavy fighter, and generous patron of the arts. He had a profound love for his friends and the chosen family he gathered throughout his life, valuing loyalty, creativity, and shared passions above all else.
He is survived by his wife, Kayla (Boysen) Kennedy; his children, Charles and Evelyn Kennedy; his mother, Judy (Baron) Kennedy; his sister, Elizabeth Kennedy; grandmother, Donna Kennedy, and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Mark Kennedy; his sister, Sarah Kennedy; his in-laws, Bernie and Bonnie Boysen; and many other extended family members.
Matthew will be remembered for his intelligence, craftsmanship, fierce loyalty, and the deep love he held for his family and friends. His presence will be profoundly missed by all who knew him.
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Thursday Obit
