Phillip Larry Kennedy, 79, of Vanceburg, passed away Wednesday morning, December 31, 2025, at his home after an extended illness.
Phil was born at Garrison on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1946, a son of the late Earl Wayne and Gladys Irene Carver Bentley Kennedy. As a blended family member, he was one of 13 children in the household.
As a young man, Phil worked at the steel mill in Portsmouth, Ohio, during the summer months to help his parents pay for his college education. Getting a good education was important to Phil. He graduated from Morehead State University in 1968 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Education.
He began his career at Olive Hill with Northeast Area Development Council as a Head Start director serving the district’s seven-county area, including Lewis County. He also served as assistant to Lewis County Judge Executive Jackie Ray Cooper. Phil worked for Buffalo Trace Area Development District in Maysville for 14 years. He returned to Vanceburg and served as Superintendent of the Electric Plant Board of the City of Vanceburg until his retirement. Phil was a member of Vanceburg Christian Church.
Phil claimed his greatest success was his family, who he deeply loved and adored, especially his two granddaughters, Laira Kate and Colleen Elizabeth Kennedy.
In addition to his granddaughters, survivors include the love of his life, Linda Curtis Kennedy, his wife of 51 years; their two sons, Joe Kennedy and Mike (Kristy) Kennedy of Vanceburg; two sisters, Judy Kennedy Christian of Columbus, Ohio, and Pauline “Polly” Kennedy of Cincinnati, Ohio; and a sister-in-law, Judy Curtis of Vanceburg. Several nieces and nephews also survive who will mourn his passing.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by siblings, Eldene Kennedy Spriggs, Glenn Kennedy, Gene Kennedy, Hazel Bentley Overstreet, Marilyn Bentley Reedy, Fred Bentley, Beecher Bentley, Jack Bentley, and Mary Lou Kennedy; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, James “Jim” and Irene Lykins Curtis; a sister-in-law, Sharon Curtis; a brother-in-law, Gary Curtis, who was a very dear friend since high school, neighbor, personal shopper, and caregiver until his death in September 2025; and a great-nephew, Parker Cramer.
Phil often joked that while growing up, he would hear his father say to his mother, “Gladys, get in here! Your kids and my kids are beating up our kids.” If you knew Phil, you were touched by his great sense of humor, kindness, generosity, intelligence, wisdom, and love of “a good game of golf.” We have been blessed, and to know him was to love. He certainly will be missed.
Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 5, 2026, at Gaydos Funeral Home, 159 Second Street in Vanceburg, with Pastor Tom Cox and Bro. Danny Bentley officiating. Entombment will follow in Lewis County Memory Gardens at Black Oak.
Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Sunday, January 4, 2026, at Gaydos Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Mike Forman, Tim Christian, Tom Christian, Drew Curtis, Maggie Curtis, Josh Cramer, and Lesley Cramer. Gunner Curtis will serve as an honorary pallbearer.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Vanceburg Christian Church, 38 Front Street, Vanceburg, KY 41179, and Hospice of Hope, 1435 Kenton Pointe Way, Maysville, KY 41056.
Condolences may be sent at www.gaydosfh.com.
