James Patrick Lela

The oldest child of high school sweethearts. He spend part of his childhood, after his parents Morgan Baldridge & Mary Kennedy's divorce, with his mother Mary's adoptive parents the James P & Delia Kennedy. Living in a Semi-Modern home with water but no electricity & sharing a bedroom with his little brother. His nickname was always Buddy! That never changed.

He was legally adopted by John Lela when his mother Mary Hilmar Kennedy (birth name Hilmar Irwin) remarried. Although Buddy didn't legally change his name from Morgan Baldridge Jr until after graduating High School. He also successfully had his birth certificate changed. Depending on where you search the records he can show up as either.

He joined the military for 4 years as the Air-force was still separating from the Army. Father to 3 sons with his 1st wife Naomi Young; Jim Jr, Thomas, & Morgan B.

After their divorce he moved to Peoria, IL where he worked at Caterpillar as a draftsman in engineering He met his 2nd wife Lukia Chelikas at Caterpillar and his birth father Morgan B Baldridge officiated their marriage. They had a daughter together when he was 47.