John David Kennedy

Reverend John David Kennedy, age 62, passed away on Sunday, November 26, 2023, at his home in West Monroe, Louisiana.  He was one of nine children.  Father Kennedy was born on January 10, 1961, to the late Wade H. Kennedy, Sr., and the late Beverly Rose Phillips Kennedy.

Upon graduating from St. Frederick High School, Monroe, Louisiana, Father Kennedy attended Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe, Louisiana, and received a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor degree in geography.  Following graduation, he began employment with State Farm Insurance in Lafayette, Louisiana.  Father Kennedy had a great sense of humor and was a great conversationalist who could carry on conversation for hours.  He loved studying the weather and being a Meteorologist. He also was a huge history buff and enjoyed being out in the country and his cowboy boots.  Fr. Kennedy is preceded in death by his parents, Wade and Beverly Kennedy; siblings, James Wade Kennedy, Pauline Patrice Kennedy, Elizabeth Ann Kennedy, and Wade Huel Kennedy, Jr.

Survivors include his sisters, Beverly Kennedy Martin, Rose Kennedy, Kathryn Kennedy, and Anita Susan Hall and husband, Todd; nieces and nephews, Jennifer Sanderson, Ronnie Martin, Justin Martin, Kaitlin Tarver, Carter Sutton, Bradley Massingill, Sara Bruce, Melissa Purvis, Michael Kennedy, Courtney Astranti, and Kendra Roy.  

In 1987, Father Kennedy began seminary studies at Notre Dame Seminary, New Orleans, Louisiana.  He was ordained a priest of Jesus Christ in the Roman Catholic Church on June 26, 1993, at the age of 32 by Most Reverend William B. Friend in St. Mary of the Pines Cathedral Pro-tem, Shreveport, Louisiana.

Following his priestly ordination, Father Kennedy served in many church parishes throughout the Diocese of Shreveport, namely: Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church, Shreveport; the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; St. Joseph Church, Zwolle; Christ the King Church, Bossier City; St. Matthew Church, Monroe; Our Lady of Fatima Church, Monroe, and its mission, St. Lawrence Church, Swartz; Jesus the Good Shepherd Church, Monroe, and St. Joseph Church, Bastrop.  He served as chaplain at St. Francis Medical Center, and St. Frederick High School, in Monroe, as well as campus minister at the former Northeast Louisiana University and currently the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Father Kennedy medically retired from active ministry on May 31, 2006.

Funeral services honoring the life of Father John D. Kennedy will be held at Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Monroe, on Thursday, November 30, 2023.  A visitation will be held in the parish church from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM; followed by a Funeral Mass at 1:00 PM.  Burial will take place immediately following the Funeral Mass at Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery Mausoleum in the Kennedy Family Mausoleum, 623 U.S. Highway 80, Monroe.

Pallbearers will be Carter Sutton, Bradley Massingill, Ronnie Martin, Justin Martin, Trace Sanderson, and Todd Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in remembrance of Father Kennedy can be made to: The Diocese of Shreveport, the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, or the Diocese of Shreveport Priests Retirement Fund.

May he rest in peace!