David Clark Kennedy

David Clark Kennedy age 76 died on Thursday, November 11, 2021 from complications due to pulmonary hypertension. David was born on March 8, 1945 in Tifton, Georgia to Ben and Helen Kennedy. David was a brother to Ben Kennedy and Judy Layman. He married his beloved wife Barbara Kennedy on July 20, 1968 in New Albany, Indiana. They were married for 53 years and enjoyed countless adventures with their daughters growing up in Minnesota.

David and his family lived in Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Illinois, and finally Carmel, Indiana where he lived for almost 25 years. David was an avid outdoor enthusiast. He loved camping, hiking and cycling. He hiked the Appalachian Trail and sailed around the Chesapeake Bay. He ran three marathons and completed a number of bicycle touring expeditions.

David enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve during the Vietnam war and while his unit was not called into the war, the six years he served shaped his life. His professional career began as a lab technician for Harshaw Chemical in Louisville. Adding his innate persuasive charm to a technical background in coatings, he was a perfect fit for technical sales at Reliance/ Akzo where he spent the bulk of his career. Sherwin Williams was a 12-year culmination of his industry contributions where he served as Market Director of Wood Coatings, bringing him to commercial factories across the globe before retiring in 2013. He was humble to recognize that luck and the help of some kind managers ‘taking a chance on him’, but as much as anyone can be, David was a self-made man.

Retirement left a vacancy for David’s gregarious energy, which he filled by increasing his involvement at SAWS, “Servants at Work” www.sawsramps.org and serving on their Board of Directors. He and Barbara loved Notre Dame and Colts football, their church bible study and spending time with family.

David is preceded in death by his sister Judy [Tommy] Layman and survived by his wife Barbara Kennedy, daughters Jennifer Elfering and partner Dan Wendt, Kate Kneifel and husband Josh Kneifel, brother Ben Kennedy, Grandchildren, Owen Elfering, Kyle Elfering, Elizabeth Kneifel and Kai Kneifel and his beloved dog Murphy.

Visitation for David will begin at 9:30 am on Wednesday, November 17th at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church and conclude at time of services at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested in David’s name to SAWS – Servants at Work: 8427 Zionsville Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46268

Special thanks to Dr. Ashwin Ravichandran, Ascension St. Vincent staff, Susan from hospice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.leppertmortuarycarmel.com for the Kennedy family.