John Oliver Kennedy, Jr. passed away on February 13, 2023 in Arcadia, Florida. He was born in Bentonville, Arkansas on January 14, 1949 to John Oliver Kennedy, Sr. and Hazel Tolley Kennedy.

He had lived in the area since 1957, he received his GED in 1972 in DeSoto County. He was a member of the United States Marine Corps and served in Vietnam.  He was a Disabled Veteran and had retired from Truck Driving and Mechanics occupation.

John was of the Protestant faith, and attended the Assembly of God Church.  He enjoyed collecting knives, planting flowers, mowing his yard, playing with his pets, hog hunting, farming, fishing, mechanic work, and helping his family and grand kids.

He will be remember as a loving father, husband and brother.

He is preceded in death by his parents, John Oliver Kennedy and Hazel Tolley Kennedy and his ex-wife Birtha Helen Stork Kennedy who passed away in 2010.

He is survived by his children, Norman M. Kennedy of Arcadia, Florida, Opal Kennedy, Port Saint Lucie, Florida, William Kennedy, Knox, Indiana, Angie Hardee, Lake Wales, Florida. His sisters, Dorothy Jeanett Kennedy of Fleming Toodyuy W.A. Australia., Nora Elaine Kennedy Brown of Arcadia, Florida and Glenda Sue Kennedy Morrissette of Zephyrhills, Florida.

John had thirteen grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and sixteen nieces and nephews. They include Savannah E. Crawford, Emma N. Taylor, Shakedra Walker Johnson Carrington, and Angelo Williamson. Great grandchildren include Iyani Fields, Aiden Kennedy, Izaac Fields, and Izaiah Fields. Some of his nieces and nephews are, Terry Eugene Fleming, Joseph Lee Fleming and Felicite Moret Hannington.

In lieu of Flowers contributions may be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars or Disabled American Veterans organizations.

There will be a military honors service on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at 5:00PM in the chapel of Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home, 50 N. Hillsborough Avenue, Arcadia, Florida 34266. Pastor Ellis Cross will be officiating.

Online condolences may be made at: www.pongerkaysgrady.com

Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Homes have been entrusted with the arrangements.