July 10, 1928 - August 19, 2022
David King Kennedy, 94, of Cumming, Ga., slipped from consciousness on Aug. 17, 2022, in his home with his wife of 70 years, Jean, tending to him. Doctors and medical staff labored intensively to restore him to life but to no avail. His final breath was in the evening of Aug. 19, 2022.
Born July 10, 1928, in Allensville, the fourth child and first son of Jesse and Dorothy Kennedy, Dave gained a lifetime of experiences eating candy in his father’s general store, learning wisdom from Grovie and tormenting his younger brother, Dick. Dave’s sister introduced him to Jean at Eastern Star and he called her for a date. They eloped while Dave was home on leave before shipping to Germany with the U.S. Army.
After an honorable discharge Dave ultimately took a job in the animal feed industry where he met his future business partner and they started Chesapeake Feed in Beltsville, Md. By then Dave’s three children were born and they lived the All-American life outside of Washington.
Dave and Jean bought out their partner and together formed such a reputation for specialty animal feeds that the Washington Post featured their products in their annual review for bird watchers. The star of the show was their patented bird feed “Beedo.” It was so well known and favored that Safeway Markets made Dave an offer to sell Beedo in their stores. Dave and Jean sold the business in 1993 and retired.
He continued to serve as a lifetime member of McVeytown Lodge No. 376 Free and Accepted Masons.
In 2000 Dave and Jean moved to Cumming, where he started his next job, emailing his “blog” three or four times a day to family and friends. Dave worked an eight-hour day curating quotes, jokes, philosophy, scripture and more. He would transcribe selections in his own handwriting onto note- pads. He would read the choices to Jean and she would tell him which ones were best to send.
David King Kennedy was a great man that most resembled the Beatitudes. His family will miss him sorely.
He is survived by his wife, Jean Eleanor Kennedy, his daughter JoAnn Flanagan and husband Paul, daughter Jane Emerson and husband Clint, son David Kennedy and wife, Donna; his grandchildren, Cate Flanagan, Lindsey Baker, Colin Emerson, Michal Emerson, Kelli Kennedy, Nick Biermann and Matthew Kennedy; great- grandchildren, Rosalee, Clark, Margot Jane and Lily Anne.
His funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022, at Allensville Community Church with Pastor Tyler Covert officiating. Burial will take place at Allensville Presbyterian Cemetery following the service.
Arrangements are under the care of Henderson Funeral Home, Belleville. Online condolences may be offered at www.hendersonfuneralhomes.net.
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