Amy Kiker

Amy Leigh Kennedy Kiker, 57, of Lubbock, Texas died January 10, 2025.

Services will be at 4 p.m., Saturday, January 25, 2025, at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Lubbock, The Rev. Justin Gibson presiding. A wake will follow in the parish hall.

As the youngest of three children born to Donna Edstrand Kennedy and Joseph Kennedy on June 27, 1967, in Richmond, CA, Amy grew up and attended school in Panhandle, Texas. Known locally as a standout basketball and track athlete, Amy made four consecutive appearances at the Texas UIL state track meet from 1982 through 1985. As a freshman Amy anchored the 1600 meter relay at the state competition, setting a PHS record and earning the team a second place medal in Austin.

After high school, Amy graduated from Texas A&M University then later received a Master of Education degree from Lubbock Christian University.

Known as a vivacious blonde with an engaging smile and sparkling blue eyes that constantly beamed, Amy married “a very fortunate” J. Frank Kiker Oct. 11, 1997. They made their home in Lubbock where Amy was employed with Buckner Children’s Home before beginning an impressive 23-year-long career in education.

As a special education (SPED) teacher at Lubbock High School, Amy pioneered the SPED inclusion program and in 2011 was recognized as the sole Outstanding Special Education Teacher for Texas by the National Association of Special Education Teachers. Just like her mother, she touched hundreds of lives during her career in education. One of Amy’s many gifts was making every student feel valued, loved, and truly seen.

Amy also excelled at domestic arts as displayed by her widely heralded snickerdoodle cookies, relentless pool cleaning talents, a lover of all dogs, a dedicated swim mom to Jett and Katy’s athletics, and an eternal, graceful optimist. Amy had a heart that seemed to encompass the world, yet she always made time for those she loved — especially her family and her herd of K-9s. Amy also graciously served St. Stephen’s as a Sunday school teacher and vestry member.
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Amy was preceded in death by her mother, Donna Pingleton, and her father, The Rev. Joseph Kennedy.

Survivors include her husband, J. Frank of Lubbock; children, Jett, of Oklahoma City, and Katy, of Lubbock; an endeared former student, Jethro Washington, of Ft. Worth, (whom the family proudly claims as their own); sisters, Lynne Satterwhite (Kent) of Fritch, and Corrine Marello (Jeremy) of Boulder Creek, California; brother, Scott Kennedy (Glea) of Panhandle; stepmother, Jennifer Kennedy, of Scotts Valley, California; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Amy’s memory to the following Lubbock entities: University Medical Center (UMC) Cancer Center’s Passion Campaign; St. Benedict’s Chapel; Haven Animal Care Shelter; or St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church.

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