Jim N. Kennedy

                                            November 4, 1937 – August 21, 2024

Jim Kennedy of originally Davenport then in 2012 moved to Alapaha, GA and of late in Jacksonville, FL passed away, at the age of 86, on August 21, 2024.

He was born on November 4, 1937 to Woodard Kennedy and Edith Brown in Enville, TN. At the age of 3, Jim’s father died from complications of Tuberculosis, Edith later married “Taylor” and according to Jim, Taylor moved the family repeatedly and often. Years later, Donald “Buster” was born in 1952, a ½ brother to Jim and elder brother, Gene the family moved to Haines City in 1954. Jim met and married his devoted and loving wife, Shirley in 1958. Jim served in the United States Army for 2 years from 1961 to 1963. Together they built a marriage and home filled with 3 lively children, Debbie, David and Darryl.

Jim and his love for mechanics served him well. He and his brother Gene worked at the truck stop in Haines City back in the day. Then Jim worked at Franklin’s gas station for a while. Then he worked for Orange Co for years. For a short time, Jim had his own mechanic shop out at HT Lewis’ pole barn. The long hours and early morning calls for help were wearisome. Jim spent a little time driving a semi-truck trailer but that too was long hours and away from home. So, he joined Orange Co and worked there for years. Finally arriving at Standard Sand and Silica, working as a Fleet Maintenance Supervisor, both in Davenport and Lake Wales. In 2012 he retired, and Jim and Shirley moved to Alapaha, GA.

Jim loved his family, softball/baseball and yard work. He coached little league baseball when his sons were younger.

He is predeceased by his parents, Woodard Kennedy, Edith Ella Brown, his brother, Harold Gene Kennedy, his brother Donald Taylor, his wife, Shirley Mae Scarborough Kennedy. JIm is survived by his three children.  He is survived by his daughter, Deborah Ann Davis and her husband, Glenn Richard Davis and their children; Son, Kyle Davis and his wife Viviana and daughter Gabriella Nicole Daughter Kara Diane Davis/Mark Coffey and their son, Jace Parker Coffey – all of Jacksonville, FL. Jim is also survived by his son, David Neal Kennedy of Lake Wales. Also Jim's son, James Darryl Kennedy and his wife, Beth Anne Kennedy and their children, Cade James Kennedy and fiancée, Mackenzie Michelle Sawyer, Ehma Keely Kennedy and Cort John Kennedy all of Surprise, AZ.

A visitation will be held Tuesday, August 27, 2024 from 10:00 to 11:00 am until the service at 11 am, both held at the Oak Ridge Funeral home in Haines City with Debbie Davis and Darryl Kennedy officiating. Final resting place will be in Forest Hill Cemetery in Haines City, FL. 

A reception will follow at Oak Ridge Funeral Care after the committal service.