James “Chris” Kennedy Obituary (1977 - 2024)

Born Jan 07, 1977, James “Chris” Kennedy attended Ontario High School in Mansfield, OH. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about James “chris” Kennedy.

Graduation Year	Class of 1995
Date of Birth	Jan 07, 1977
Date of Passing	May 20, 2024
About	Mount Pleasant, South Carolina: Some would call it confidence, assurance, or poise, but to those who knew Chris Kennedy, what they saw was…his charm. Chris was intelligent, direct, and committed. He was a natural leader. Even through his recent battle with cancer, Chris wanted to lead by example, leaning on his relationship with Christ to guide him through deep valleys and mountain tops. No longer limited by his earthly body, James Christopher “Chris” Kennedy passed into eternity, Monday morning May 20, 2024. He was 47. Chris was born January 7, 1977 in Mount Vernon, Ohio. His fun loving, energetic spirit led him to sing in the show choir, serve on student council and run track as well. He graduated from Ontario High School in 1995. Chris continued his education and graduated from Mansfield College of Nursing as a Registered Nurse. After completing EMT and Medic training, Chris worked for Mansfield Ambulance where he was a first responder for 20 years. Patriotic, it was no surprise that at 19 years old, Chris served as a first responder, immediately following the World Trade Center attacks. Serving at ground zero, Chris gave aid and assistance to those injured and in need. He did the same in New Orleans, following hurricane Katrina. That was his nature. Chris’s hard working demeanor persisted as he was one year away from completing his Nurse Practitioner Licensure, all while working as a nurse manager. Even during his illness, Chris still focused on his long term goals. According to one of his desk plaques, “I’m kind of a big deal,” Chris knew how to be playful and witty. Chris loved holidays, especially Christmas. He would dress the part and decorate as well. His musical library was vast and he preferred 80’s, jazz and R&B music. If his life was a soundtrack it would be written by Michal Bublé. Chris loved to listen to Tom Hamilton announce the Cleveland Indians, cheering for the Kentucky Wildcats and Ohio State Buckeyes basketball teams, and appreciated the Dublin Irish Festival. An excellent cook he prepared the best meals. Described as a foodie, Chris loved the local cuisine offered in Charleston, South Carolina and appreciated the new, up in coming restaurants. Chris was a loving husband and father who was so proud of his daughters. He first met Rebekah Finley on a blind date and the two were married February 1, 2008. A peacemaker, Chris led by example choosing to take the upper road. He had attended Storyside Church in Bellville and recently Sea Coast Church in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, where he was a member of small-group ministries at Sea Coast Church. Chris is survived by his loving wife Rebekah Finley Kennedy; daughters Georgia Reagan Kennedy, Scarlett Olivia Kennedy, Aurora Ireland Brown, and Alexuss Victoria Ann Brown; mother and step father Samantha (Thom) Durbin, father and step mother Jim (Connie) Kennedy; siblings Amber (Josh) Kennedy, Cory (Kayla) Durbin, Rachel (Nick) Leasure, Sean (Lauren) Kennedy, and Brett Kennedy; grandparents Joe and Ann Durbin and Searl (Lynda) Kennedy; mother-in-law Cynthia Finley; numerous brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Ethel and Francis Baldridge, uncles Frank and Jr. Baldridge; grandmother Lois Kennedy Lester; uncles Steve Kennedy, Don Kennedy and Searl Kennedy Jr., aunt Deb Kennedy, and cousin Ashley Kennedy Ott; and father-in-law Larry Finley.