Jerry Phillips Kennedy, 79, died peacefully with a smile on his face on Sunday September 22nd, 2024 after an 18 month battle with cancer. He is survived by two sisters: Jackie Kennedy-Barron (Peter) and Jo Ellen Kennedy, a brother Thomas Kennedy (Lori) and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his daughter Jennifer Youngerman and his niece Cori Kristen DiJosie.
Jerry was born in Water Valley, Mississippi, the first child of Jack and Laura Kennedy. Growing up as a navy brat, Jerry lived in Mississippi, Rhode Island, Louisiana, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. When Jerry was in his mid-twenties he left his home in Chicago to serve his country in Vietnam with the U.S Army.  In 1976 he joined his family in Savannah, GA where he fell in love with the lifestyle of the Southern Coastal Region.
Jerry had a kind heart and enjoyed helping people. He also enjoyed meeting new people and telling stories. Jerry’s adventurous spirit motivated him to move to Costa Rica where he lived for seven years while he traveled, made new friends, and helped his brother’s family with their missionary work. He loved spending time with his family and was especially proud of his nieces and nephew; and grandnieces and grandnephew. Along with sailing and fishing he enjoyed the Savannah nightlife, his
routine at the Islands YMCA, and playing bingo at the VFW. We end with the most important story in Jerry’s life. While serving in Vietnam Jerry contracted a tropical fever and was delirious for many days. During that time he heard a voice tell him he would not
die before he experienced true love. Two weeks before leaving this earth Jerry realized the true love he had been searching for was JESUS. Upon receiving Jesus’ gift of salvation Jerry was filled with a type of love and peace he had never known before. And now you know why he had that smile on his face when he passed into glory.

“For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13

A graveside service will be held at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Savannah GA. October 5 (Saturday) at 10:00 am. 
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Jerry’s name to Indigenous Community Development International at their website: icdi-cr.org.