Irving G. Kennedy M.D. Jr.

1931 - 2018

Irving G. Kennedy, Jr., MD

West Monroe - Dr. Kennedy was born in New York City on June 20, 1931 to Irving Gaynor Kennedy and Anna Wollenberg Kennedy. As a child, Irving loved to explore the beautiful land around his home in Stony Point, New York, which stood near the Hudson River.

Dr. Kennedy attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. After graduating from Swarthmore University in Pennsylvania, Irving received his medical degree at University of Pennsylvania. While fulfilling his residency in New Orleans at Charity Hospital, he had the privilege of training under Dr. John Adriani, a pioneer in the field of anesthesia. During this time, he also met Carole Sargent, who was attending nursing school at Charity. The two were soon married and had five children together, the first of whom, Glenn, was born on the Navajo Indian reservation in Tuba City, Arizona, where Irving had his first job as the reservation's resident doctor.

In 1962, Irving and Carole moved to Monroe, Louisiana, where Irving joined Anesthesia Associates. Later, Irving cofounded Kennedy and Spence Anesthesiology with Dr. John Spence. During his career, Dr. Kennedy served on the medical staff at St. Francis, Glenwood (where he was the first doctor to administer anesthesia), and P & S Surgery Center, which he also cofounded. Dr. Kennedy retired from medical practice in 2002.

Dr. Kennedy treasured the years he practiced anesthesiology and loved caring for so many patients, which numbered around 40,000 in his career. He loved the people he worked with and enjoyed many fond memories of his experiences with his wonderful team.

In addition to practicing medicine, Dr. Kennedy was an avid long distance runner, participating in numerous Boston and New York marathons. He also loved to sail and had a wonderful time being commandeer of the Lake D'arbonne yacht club in the early 1970's. Dr. Kennedy was passionate about the Arts and enjoyed collecting fine art from around the world.

Dr. Kennedy is preceded in death by his first wife, Carole Sargent Kennedy, his second wife, Marie O'Connell Kennedy, his son, Glenn Kennedy, his parents, Irving and Anna Kennedy, and his brother, John Kennedy. He is survived by his children, Curt, John, Doug, Kim, his grandsons Julian and Jackson, numerous nieces and nephews, and his sister, Karen Yearsley.

Dr. Kennedy passed on June 1, 2018 and will be greatly missed. A private service will be held for Dr. Kennedy. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to S.O.S. Pets of Ouachita for the new animal shelter (sospetsofouachita.org).

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com

Kilpatrick Funeral Home

West Monroe, LA