Mr. Claude Kennedy, 80, passed away on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, at the HCA Florida North Florida Hospital following an illness. He was the son of the late Rome and Minnie Irene Watson Kennedy. He was preceded in death by one sister Opal Newsome and a brother-in-law Royce "Pig" Presley.  Claude had made Lake City his home for the past thirty years after moving here from Ashburn, Georgia. He was of the Baptist faith and he was an Avid Georgia Bulldog fan and enjoyed watching baseball and girls college softball, building things with his hands, but his greatest enjoyment was spending time with his family and watching his grandchildren play sports. He enjoyed working, breeding, and watching children show pigs.

Claude is survived by his wife of twenty-seven years Carline Peeler Kennedy, Lake City, FL; his three daughters Becky Wilkerson (Rickey) Rebecca, GA; Denna Thompson (Heath) Tifton, GA; Nikki Starling (Chris) Lake City, FL.  one son Darrin Davis, Jacksonville, FL. two brothers George Kennedy (Marie) Ashburn, GA; Wayne Kennedy (Pam) Leslie, GA; three sisters Ovis Mashburn (Murray) Ashburn, GA; Mary Presley, Ashburn, GA; and Janet Tomlinson (J.T.) Ashburn, GA. Six grandchildren Courtney Sercer (Cole), Amber Dalrymple (Barry) Zane, Carson, Easton Starling, and Decklan Davis. Three great-grandchildren Crome, Cloe Sercer, and Laney Dalrymple, and a host of nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services for Claude Kennedy will be conducted on Sunday, July 9, 2023, at Gateway-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Memorial Chapel with Reverend Buck Morgan officiating. The interment will take place at the Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery in Lake City, FL. Visitation with the family will be held from 12:00 P.M. until 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, July 9, 2023, at Gateway-Forest Lawn Funeral Home. Gateway-Forest Lawn Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements. 3596 South US Hwy 441 Lake City, FL 32025. Please leave words of encouragement and condolences at www.gatewayforestlawnfuneralhome.com