David A. Kennedy

David A. Kennedy, 77, of Lebo KS passed away Saturday, December 14, 2024 inEmporia.David was born August 23, 1947, in Cheyenne, Wyoming, the son of Babe Ray and VirginiaLouise (Bash) Kennedy and was referred to by friends as “Dave” or “Texas Dave”.

He began working at a very young age and had a strong work ethic, working as a heavy equipment operator. He was involved with various construction projects including highways, lakes, dams and power plants across the Midwest and Wyoming areas. Close to home, he was instrumental in the construction of the Wolf Creek Nuclear Power Plant,including setting the plant’s main generator into place on the Turbine deck. He also worked on constructing the John Redmond reservoir. Dave was a member of the International Union Of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 101. 

Dave was known for helping others around him, working on family farms and fixing cars. He loved deer and coyote hunting in the wintertime and fishing in the warmer times of the year. He loved his children,grandchildren and great grandchildren, speaking about them frequently with friends.

He was joined in marriage to Mary Frances Manning on December 5, 1969, in Wichita. They were married for 30 years and enjoyed traveling to wilderness areas. They later divorced in1999.

David was an active member of ABATE of Kansas and enjoyed riding for various causes including Veteran’s Day, 9/11 & Toys for Tots. He enjoyed growing tomatoes and zucchini squash in his planters as well as bird watching.

David will be forever remembered by his two daughters, Theresa (Mike) Watson of Olathe and Raquel (Russ) Hamman of Tonganoxie; a son, Robert “Robbie” Kennedy of Corpus Christi, Texas; two sisters, Cindy Darling of Aurora, Colorado and Alice Kennedy of Wichita;five grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Larry and a sister Anita Hinkle.

A private graveside service will be held at Lincoln Cemetery in Lebo, KS. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home in Lebo. Memorial contributions may be made to Toys for Tots and sent in care of Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home, P.O. Box 43, Lebo, Kansas 66856. Condolences may be expressed on-line at vanarsdalefs.com.