WILMINGTON — Roger Dale Kennedy, 71, of Wilmington, North Carolina, and formerly of Reidsville and Durham, passed away peacefully while in hospice care on Monday, August 18, 2025. He was born in Durham County to the late Delton Durwood Kennedy and Esther Cook Kennedy.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Kenneth “Kenny” Kennedy.
He is survived by his son, Eric Kennedy and wife, Sarah; his step-children, Matthew Jacobson and Lori Rexrode Rhew and husband Phillip; his cherished grandchildren Pearson, Nolan, Paul, and Jake; his sisters, Jonnie Sharpe and Brenda Reavis; and his many beloved nieces and nephews.
A proud graduate of Northern High School, Roger spent most of his life working for the American Tobacco Company in both Durham and Reidsville. He was a man of simple pleasures and deep passions. He found joy in the roar of a NASCAR engine, the timeless strum of a classic rock guitar, and a good day on the golf course. He was a devoted fan of the Green Bay Packers and the UNC Tar Heels, never missing a chance to cheer on his favorite teams. He never met a stranger and always had a way of cheering people up. His beloved dogs were his constant, loyal companions. Above all else, his family was the center of his world. Roger will be remembered for his loving spirit and his generous, kind heart.
A memorial service will be held at Bethany United Methodist Church, 2809 Guess Rd, Durham, NC 27705, on Friday, September 5, 2025, at 3:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare.
