Birth Date: 08/29/1949
Deceased Date: 04/23/2023
John Wesley Kennedy, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, veteran, musician, and law enforcement officer, passed away peacefully on April 23, 2023, in Smithfield, NC, at the age of 73. He was born on August 29, 1949, in Burlington, NC, and spent his early years in Sanford, NC, before moving to Tampa, FL.
John was a 1967 graduate of Robinson High School and served his country as a member of the US Navy from 1968 to 1972, during which he was stationed aboard the USS Kennedy and the USS Shangri-La. He was a Vietnam veteran and a POW, and his service to our country will always be remembered and honored.
Following his military service, John worked as a law enforcement officer for the Jacksonville, FL Sheriff’s Office and the Raleigh Police Department. He also served as an instructor for the NC Justice Department. Later, he worked as a project manager at Stageworks Lighting, where he was responsible for all lighting and curtains for Wake County Schools, Alamance County Schools, and New Hanover County Schools.
John was previously the Production Director at LongBranch Night Club, where he oversaw shows by famous musicians and artists like Blake Shelton, Phil Vassar, The Chicks, Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Josh Turner, Chairmen of the Board, Joe Walsh, Dwight Yoakam, Marty Stewart, and Vince Gill, among others. He was also the Security Director for KC and the Sunshine Band as well as Boy George. John’s country band, Electric Possum, had the privilege of opening for Willie Nelson, Charlie Daniels, Jerry Lee Lewis, and George Jones.
John was preceded in death by his father, Douglas W. Williams, mother, Betty W. Kennedy, and brother, David Lee Kennedy.
He is survived by his wife, Annis Kennedy; brothers, H. Ronald Kennedy and Robert Scott Kennedy, both of Tampa, FL; daughters and their husbands, Samantha Kennedy Borbas and Willie Borbas, and Melissa Kennedy Stallings and Daniel Stallings; stepson, Matthew Cameron Smith; nephew Jonathan Kennedy and wife Amber; nieces Ashley Kennedy Dickerson and husband Alex, and McKenzie and Sarah Kennedy of Tampa, FL; furbaby, Riley Anne Kennedy; grandchildren Haley Grace Thomas, Tyler Michael Thomas, Will Stallings, and CJ Stallings; grandnephew Grayson Kennedy and grandnieces; Everleigh Kennedy, Carlee and Raleigh Dickerson.
A private memorial service for John will be held on April 29, 2023, where he will be honored and remembered by his family. A Celebration of Life will be held June 1, 2023, which would have been John and Annis’ 20th wedding anniversary. Time and location will be announced at a later time. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him, and his legacy will live on in the hearts and memories of those who loved him.
“I know your life on earth was troubled, and only you could know the pain. You weren’t afraid to face the devil, you were no stranger to the rain. Go rest high on that mountain; son, your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ love for the Father and the Son.” –Vince Gill
