Honorable David S. Kennedy's Obituary
The Honorable David S. Kennedy, retired Chief U. S Bankruptcy Judge, Western District of Tennessee, passed away peacefully at Trezevant Manor, a short distance from his mid-town home, on November 26, 2023. Judge Kennedy was born in Reagan, TN, on April 9, 1944, and moved from Scotts Hill, TN to Memphis with his family in the 1950’s. He graduated from Messick High School in 1962. He held a BBA from the University of Memphis and a J.D. from University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. He was a member and past president of Pi Kappa Alpha. After law school, Judge Kennedy embarked on a remarkable and distinguished career as a lawyer and jurist.
In 1970, upon graduating from law school, Judge Kennedy served a year as a law clerk to the Honorable Robert M. McRae, U. S. District Court, Western District of Tennessee (1970-1971); general practice of law and served as a Bankruptcy Receiver and Trustee (1971-1973); Bankruptcy Court Clerk, U. S. District Court, Western District of Tennessee (1974-1975); private practice and bankruptcy Panel Trustee (1976-1980); Adjunct Professor, University of Memphis School of Law (1981-2019); U. S. Bankruptcy Judge, Western District of Tennessee (1980-1988); and finally, Chief U. S. Bankruptcy Judge, Western District of Tennessee (1988-2022). He was a member of the Memphis and Shelby County Bar Association and Tennessee Bar Association.
Throughout his career, Judge Kennedy wrote extensively on bankruptcy issues for numerous law and bankruptcy publications. In 2009, his expertise in bankruptcy law resulted in his testifying before the Congress of the U. S., House of Representatives, Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law hearing on “Bankruptcy Judgeship Needs.” Judge Kennedy was respected by his legal peers and the recipient of numerous awards. Colleagues praised him as a gifted jurist, who had an unprecedented knowledge of the law. Others recalled the warmness of Judge Kennedy’s courtroom, where he patiently treated all who appeared before him, lawyer, clients, and unrepresented debtors alike, with respect and dignity.
In 2020, after a 40-year legal career, Judge Kennedy retired from the bench after suffering a debilitating stroke. Few judges in any court have had the positive impact that Judge Kennedy had on the legal profession and those he served in his courtroom. Judge Kennedy’s knowledge, kindness, integrity and ethical leadership will serve as an example for those who will follow him in the legal profession. Judge Kennedy’s career accomplishments and service have brought great credit and recognition to his profession and his family.
Judge Kennedy was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Elco and Ethelyn Stewart Kennedy; wife, Patricia Ann Kelly; brothers, Ronald K. Kennedy and Charles E. Kennedy, Jr. (Linda); and sister, Debra N. Kennedy. He is survived by his son Kelly Gookin (Renee) of Memphis, TN, and daughter Christie Tullis (David) of Memphis, TN; brothers Michael L. Kennedy (Phyllis) of Arlington, TN, Ralph C. Kennedy (Janice) of Nesbit, MS, and sister Jane Kennedy Berry (Jim) of Madison, MS; nieces Lisa Kennedy of Memphis, TN, Monti McCauley (Mike) of Memphis, TN, Jennifer A. Tircuit (Nathan) of Baton Rouge, LA, and Amanda Berry Spradley of Madison, MS; nephews Steven K. Kennedy (Nicole) of Milton, GA, and Charles S. Kennedy of Tokyo, Japan.
Visitation with the Kennedy family will be Wednesday, November 29th, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5668 Poplar Avenue.
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