George Reuben Kennedy, Jr. September 4, 1929 – March 23, 2020

George Reuben Kennedy passed away at his home in Conway at the age of 91. He was born in his family’s log cabin on their farm, west of Hunter to George R. Kennedy, Sr. and Balys Hall Kennedy. George graduated from Hunter High School in 1947.

After spending three years in the United States Army, he returned home and met and married, Annis Vanderburg, on December 27, 1954. From the union of 65-year marriage, two children were born, a daughter, Janet, and a son, Rickey Dale.

George continued to farm and drill irrigation wells with his father, whom drilled the first water well in Woodruff County in 1918. This well business soon became Kennedy Well Works, Inc., and was in existence for 45 years. He was well known to be able to “witch” a water site for drilling an irrigation well. He was active in the Hunter Masonic Lodge, where he served as Senior Officer, Master. He also acquired his 32nd degree Mason. He served as Mayor of Hunter and was a member of the Hunter Methodist Church.

George was well known for his passion for hunting and fishing. He was articulate about every bear hunting story, especially his grizzly bear hunt in British Columbia, in which that bear scored and made it into the Boone and Crockett Club. He shared this story many times with family, friends, and strangers, alike.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Balys Kennedy; and son, Rickey Dale Kennedy. Survivors are his wife, Annis Kennedy; daughter, Janet Kennedy Watkins of Conway (formerly of Brinkley); granddaughters, Brandi Watkins Adams (Brandon) of Fayetteville, and Rixie Watkins Sheffield (Brandon) of Conway; his great-grandchildren, Blakely, Barrett and Sarah Adams of Fayetteville, and Sutton Sheffield of Conway; and his sister-in-law, Mary Vanderburg Bickerstaff, whom was more like a daughter.

There was a private family graveside service, as he was laid to rest in the Hunter Cemetery at Hunter with arrangements by Bob Neal & Sons Funeral Home of Brinkley.