Charles Dennis Kennedy, lifelong resident of Island Park, passed away April 4, 2020 at Madison Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. He was 77.

Dennis was born in St Anthony January 19, 1943 to Charles "Chick" and Reta Kennedy. Dennis graduated from Mack's Inn school in 1957. He went to all 8 years of school there before going to Ashton to finishing schooling. He started working at age 10 being a busboy at Mack's Inn Lodge. He would get off work at 1:00 or 2:00 AM and ride his bike back home. He was always working, finding jobs to make some money.

While his folks managed Coffee Pot Lodge, he would go out fishing, tying his own flies (even though he didn't know how). After he would come into the lodge with a mess of fish, the guests would ask where that boy got all those fish. Next thing you know, Dennis is a fishing guide! Dennis worked at Elk Creek Station, Elk Creek Ranch, The old Valley View Station, shoveling roofs, and building with his Dad. He was also in the National Guard for 4 years.

Dennis soon started his own construction company, Kennedy Construction, which he worked until his retirement two years ago. He built many hand-crafted log homes in Island Park, Sun Valley and Montana. Dennis also started a snowplowing business that he worked for many years. He eventually sold his tractors to his drivers so they could start a business of their own.

Dennis was an avid snowmobiler and put in many years and miles marking trails for snowmobile events. He was the first Groomer operator for snowmobile trails in Idaho. He ran the program in Island Park with help from Gary Rahm with the Forest Service, and Chuck Wells with the State of Idaho. Dennis was in the first group to ride a snowmobile from Island Park to West Yellowstone, Montana. He raced snowmobiles from 1969 to 2012. He was recently given an award by the Idaho State Snowmobile Association. He was a long-time member and sometime president of the Fugowee Snowmobile Club.

He was on the Island Park Fire Department. Dennis went to Oceanside, Ca. to get the first fire truck for Island Park Fire Dept. in 1981.

He received the prestigious J.A. Bombardier Award in 1969, for attempting to save a stranded girl in zero visibility snowstorm.

He was a member, and at times, president of the Sportsman Association. He also helped start the Christmas Gang that helped families in need during Christmas. Dennis loved golf and would hold a tournament to raise money for the Christmas Gang. He would always say, "I don't do these things by myself, it takes a lot of people to achieve this". He also started the Mother's Day Fish Fry, along with the Island Park Historical Society that is held every year. He donated so much of his time and equipment to local events, especially his beloved rebuilt truck "Frump" truck, a 1953 Chevy he was very proud of the renovation.

Dennis especially enjoyed visiting with his friends. He loved going to Island Park Lodge, Sportsman's that his brother Rob owned, Lakeside Lodge and all of the people there. But his greatest joy was being at home and looking at the view he never got tired of. He loved Island Park.

He is survived by his wife, Roni. His son Gabe Kennedy (Justine) of Reno, Nevada.
His Step son Adam (Maria) Andrews of Kenosha, Wisconsin, his Step daughter
Jodi (Justin Fleminks) Andrews of Fort Mohave, Arizona. His many step grand children, His nephews, Alan Kennedy of Las Vegas, Nevada, Ryan (Melanie) Kennedy of Vallejo, California, Derek (Patricia) Kennedy of Pocatello, Idaho, Brandon (Candace) Kennedy of Big Piney, Wyoming, Justin (Julie) Mountain Home, Idaho, His brother in law Roger (Cindy) Ruegsegger of Linden, California, his sister in law, Trina Rubley (Jeff Thomason) of Lake Havasu, Arizona.
He was preceded in death by his Mother and Father, his brothers, Ralph, Rick , Rob, and his sister in laws, Sam, Patty and Dena.

Because of the virus, there can be no funeral. There will be a burial of his ashes when weather permits.

We hope to have a celebration later this summer provided our "stay at home" has lifted. We know that Dennis would prefer that anyway!