Derald E. Kennedy (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Derald Edwin Kennedy, son of Austin H. and Alberta L. Hamlin Kennedy, was born April 25, 1946, in Bangor, Maine. He departed this life Thursday, October 9, 2014, in Cox Medical Center South, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of sixty-eight years, five months, and fourteen days.
On March 3, 2001, he was united in marriage to Linda Marie Kretzschmer, and they shared the last thirteen years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Gene Randolph Kennedy.
Derald is survived by his loving wife, Linda, of the home; two daughters, Lisa Reader, of Cambridge, Illinois, and Annette Yates, and her husband, Spencer, of Schertz, Texas; three sons, Scott Baldwin, of Tucson, Arizona, Donald Dischner, and his wife, Treasure, and Travis Dischner, all of Nixa, Missouri; fourteen grandchildren; a brother, Austin Howard Kennedy, of the State of Tennessee; two sisters, Wendy Brown, and her husband, Donald, of Lebanon, Missouri, and Carol Ann Kennedy; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was raised in the Lebanon, Missouri area until he was fifteen years old. He then began to travel the country on the rodeo circuit. He was particularly gifted at bronco bull riding among other rodeo events. In 1983, he returned to Lebanon, where he lived for the next several years. He worked in manufacturing and janitorial services for a few years before moving to Springfield and marrying Linda.
He was a member of the American Quarter Horse, Paint Horse, and Appaloosa Horse Associations. He had a huge love for horses and continued to enjoy going to rodeos throughout the years. He also liked going to stock car races, speed boat racing, and riding his motorcycles. He had a good sense of humor and was always teasing people. His family was very important to him and he especially enjoyed his grandchildren.
Derald was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments and know that his family and friends will treasure the wonderful memories he made for them during his lifetime.
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