In Loving Memory of George Richard “Dick” Kennedy

Dick Kennedy

George Richard (Dick) Kennedy joined his wife in heaven on the evening of May 29, 2023, at the age of 92. He died peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his family at his Des Moines home after a long and prosperous life full of meaningful work and many children and grandchildren who loved him dearly. The weight of his loss is consequential to those who knew and loved him. His wit, his wisdom, his work, and his endearing smile with a twinkle in his eye, will forever be missed.

Dick was born at home on a farm in Pleasant Hill, Missouri on March 6, 1931, to parents George and Margaret Kennedy. He later moved to New Mexico in 1933 and graduated from Des Moines High School in 1949. He drove trucks for his family business, Kennedy Truck Lines, before settling down and having a family with the love of his life, Elaine Doherty, who he married on June 30, 1950.

Dick and Elaine were blessed with 5 children —Jane Kay, Susan, Nancy, Kirk and Brian — as he worked the land and Elaine was a full-time mother and dedicated wife. His work ethic could rival any man on any day, but his success was never bragged or boasted about. The impact of countless 4 a.m. mornings and hard work he endured will never be forgotten by those he provided for. He was a pioneer, a rock, sometimes stubborn, always strong-willed, the center of gravity for the family, and most of all — a good and honest man.

His children will remember him as always high on expectations, but never short on love — a strong father and provider who would take the time to read stories to them in their early years, and a dad who laughed with them while doing a rain dance on a hopeful spring day in their later years.
His grandchildren will remember rides to feed the cows with Pop, the excitement of branding season lessons, and seeing him stop to kill a rattlesnake with no fear in his heart.

To all who knew Dick, this loss is immeasurable. If you asked him, he’d say the things he loved most were God, family, a good rain, green grass, and fat cattle. Many seasons of green grass will pass for years to come, but his memory and spirit will remain a steady and constant force to all who loved him.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Elaine Kennedy, parents George and Margaret Kennedy, brother John Kennedy (Vera), sister-in-law Betty Kennedy and brother-in-law Dan Doherty, Jr. (Loren).

He leaves behind his children Jane Kay Amerson (Ken), Susan Kennedy, Nancy Townley (Bob), Kirk Kennedy (Cathy), Brian Kennedy (Cindy), his 11 grandchildren — Nicole, Micaela, Amy, Drew, Carrie, Travis, Matthew, Annie, Emily, Colby, and Casey — who blessed him with 14 great-grandchildren, his brother Bill Kennedy, sister Margaret Ann Crow, brother-in-law Jim Doherty (Sylvia), and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Service Details

A Rosary Service will be held at 6:00 PM on Thursday, June 1, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Folsom and Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:00 AM on Friday, June 2, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Folsom where Dick and Elaine were married. A private family burial will follow. Pallbearers are Drew Kennedy, Travis Kennedy, Matthew Townley, Colby Kennedy, Casey Kennedy, and John Kennedy. Honorary pallbearers are Jeremy Weese, Wally Mitchell, Nicholas Arledge, Keith Anding, Travis Hinman and David Elam.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to St. Juan Diego Knight of Columbus Council 15974 — 52 Volcano Highway, Capulin, New Mexico 88414