James "Radio" Kennedy — the inspiration for the Hollywood movie "Radio," a man described by a former Independent Mail journalist as "in his element when spreading joy" — has died. He was 73.
Former T.L. Hanna High School football coach Harold Jones confirmed Kennedy's death on Sunday morning.
"He was just a fine, fine man," Jones said. "We all loved him. We will miss him incredibly."
For decades, he'd been an unofficial 11th-grader at T.L. Hanna High School, where he kept vigil since 1965. Once a quiet student, he became one of Anderson's most famous residents.
The movie "Radio," starring Cuba Gooding Jr. in the title role, focuses on Kennedy's relationship with Jones, portrayed by Ed Harris. Launched after a story published by Sports Illustrated, the film took some dramatic license and compressed decades of time into a single football season, but it's regarded as truthfully telling the story of friendship and a town's acceptance of a man with mental disabilities and a warm smile.
This story will be updated. Check back for more.
"Fun facts" about Radio listed on Anderson School District Five's website in an article written by former Hanna principal Sheila Hilton:
• Born: October 14, 1947.
• Came to T.L. Hanna in 1965.
• Is always a junior (the highest grade he can be without having to graduate).
• Member of the NJROTC.
• Got the nickname "Radio" because he was always seen carrying a transistor radio.
• Lived with his niece Jackie and his younger brother "Cool Rock," George Allan Kennedy.
• Loved to go to Friday night home football games and home basketball games.
• Bowled on Tuesdays with the Rainbow Gang. This was the only day he didn't ride the bus to and from school.
• Coach Harold Jones remained active in Radio’s life. They supported the Salvation Army and spent several Saturdays during the year at the local Sam’s Club collecting donations.
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December 15, 2019 at 08:05PM
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James 'Radio' Kennedy, movie inspiration and T.L. Hanna fixture, has died - Independent Mail
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