George Alexander Kennedy, Jr., 76, of Ridgeway, passed away on March 30, 2025. Born January 9, 1949, in Ridgeway, South Carolina, he was the son of Martha Brown Kennedy and George Alexander Kennedy, Sr. He was the oldest of three boys.

Mr. Kennedy grew up an avid athlete and Gamecock fan, who was a member of the 1966 Brooklyn-Cayce High School Bearcat State Champion football team. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy. During his time in the Navy he experienced many things he couldn't forget in combat in the Vietnam War. It was an experience that haunted him the rest of his life but he never let it defeat him. He came home and lived the best life he could as he would say because he owed it to those who couldn't come home. He worked hard to provide for his family and to be a rock of strength for all around him. He never gave up and never allowed anybody else to give up either.

Mr. Kennedy was a master tool and die maker at various manufacturers. He learned his trade at Midlands Technical College where he was a part-time instructor at one point in his career. Later in life he started a successful catering business alongside his wife Ruby. He and Ruby were fantastic cooks and bakers.

George Alexander Kennedy, Jr. leaves behind a legacy in the lives he touched and the lessons he taught to many people. He loved his wife of over 40 years dearly and rarely left her side. He was a very generous man and was more than just a stepfather and step-grandfather; he loved all of his family very much.

Mr. Kennedy was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Collins Kennedy, and his parents, Martha Brown Kennedy and George Alexander Kennedy, Sr.. He is survived by his son, George Alexander Kennedy III, his stepchildren, Janice Bennett (David), Keith Jennings (Alison), his grandchildren, Kendall Walsh (Brandon), Kayla Sloop, and great grandchildren, Brawley Sloop, McClaine Walsh, and Gunnar Walsh, his brother-in-law, Larry Collins (Ruth Anne), and his niece, Larianne Collins, as well as his brothers, Oscar Kennedy and Doug Kennedy.

The funeral service for Mr. Kennedy will be held at 12 o'clock on Tuesday, April 8th at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Ext., 7600 Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC with the Rev. Erwin Threatt officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 11 o'clock.

Burial will follow at 1 o'clock at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road, Columbia, SC.

Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.