Richard Leon Kennedy

Richard Leon “Rich” Kennedy, resident of the Gallaway Community, retired automobile technician and husband of Kathleen Gooch Kennedy died Wednesday morning, January 16, 2013 at the National Health Care Center in Somerville w here he had been a resident for two months. He was 80 years of age and died following an illness of five months.

Services of Remembrance for Mr. Kennedy were conducted at 2 P.M. Monday, January 21st at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland with Bro. Lamar Frizzell officiating. Interment followed in the Fayette County Memorial Park Cemetery on Highway 64. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes & Cremation Center — West Chapel at Oakland.

Mr. Kennedy was born March 11, 1932 in Louise, Mississippi. He was preceded in death by his parents, Chester Leon Kennedy and Hilda Barnett Kennedy. He received his education in the Humphreys County Public School System in Mississippi and was married June 22, 1962 to the former Kathleen Gooch, who survives.

Mr. Kennedy was a former resident of Memphis before moving to Fayette County 26 years ago. He had been associated with the automobile industry for much of his life and served as an automobile technician in the Memphis area for over 50 years before his retirement. He was of the Baptist faith and enjoyed the Fayette County “rural way of life” during his retirement. He was recognized for his vast knowledge of vehicles and parts and will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He enjoyed animals and took pride in his “special truck” that was used in transporting Mr. Kennedy to his final resting place at Fayette County Memorial Park.

In addition to his wife of 50 years, Mr. Kennedy is survived by six daughters, Kara of Florida, Carol of Gallaway, Patti, Jo Anne, Janet, Jeanne, all of Advance, MO; his son, Michael of Gallaway; three sisters, Sarah, Naomi and Virginia; six brothers, Ray, Lowell, Gene, Joe, Buster and Harold; 15 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Mr. Kennedy was preceded in death by two brothers, Chester and Alvin; and two grandchildren, William Joseph and Shawn Richard.

Those honored to serve as casketbearers were Joshua Kennedy, Evan Cook, Buster Kennedy, Lowell Kennedy, Gene Kennedy and Ray Kennedy.

The family requests that memorials be directed to Hope for Paws, 8950 W. Olympic Boulevard, # 525, Los Angeles, CA 90211 or ASPCA, 424 East 92nd Street, New York, NY 10128.