Randolph Allen Kennedy

Randolph Allen Kennedy age 91, passed away from oral cancer on July 29, 2020 in Olney, MD.

Born February 24, 1929 to Roy Lee Kennedy and Ada Loretta Cochran Kennedy in Clifton Forge, Virginia. Randy spent much of his childhood working at his father’s store, McCormick Street Grocery Store, in Clifton Forge, Virginia.  Randy graduated from Clifton Forge High School early with honors in 1946 and then enrolled as a student at Lynchburg College.  He married Rebecca Joyce Watts from Covington, Virginia, in 1948. They were married twenty-four years.

In 1981, Randy and Alice Ruth Bye were married on May 23rd. They were active, long time members of Salem United Methodist Church in Brookville, Maryland. Randy was involved in teaching and leadership at Salem.  He and Alice also attended Grace United Methodist Church in Mexico, Pennsylvania where they had a second home at Buttonwood Campground. Randy and Alice were married for over thirty years when Alice passed on June 18th, 2011.   

At age 12, Randy discovered his love for photography using a Box Camera. Attending high school football games he photographed the action and then sold his prints. What started as a childhood hobby progressed into his career path.  Randy was a life long learner and attended many classes in his adult life. Some of the places where Randy studied include Lynchburg College, National School of Photography, US Government Graduate School, American University, Wilson’s Teachers College, Montgomery College, Professional Photographers Management School, and Eastman Kodak Training School.

Randy began his professional  career in photography by opening a Portrait and Commercial Photography Studio in Clifton Forge, Virginia.  Moving to Bethesda, Maryland, Randy worked eight years as a medical photographer and supervisor at the National Institute of Health.  Most of Randy’s career was with the Vitro Corporation in Silver Spring Maryland.  Starting as a photographer in 1958 and then moving into management, Randy retired after 32 years in 1990 as the head of the Reprographics Department overseeing over one- hundred employees.

In retirement, Randy and Alice enjoyed photography, camping, hunting, fishing, travel, yard sales, attending church and spending time with family.

Randy is survived by three loving daughters from his first marriage: Lynn Hoch, (Harvey) in Smithsburg, Maryland, Dr. Kris Kennedy (Dr. Craig Derkay) in Norfolk, Virginia, and Chryl Kaisler (Stephen Kaisler, D.Sc.) in Laurel, Maryland. He was blessed with seven grandchildren (Christopher Hoch, Kerre’ Smigla , Kenneth Hoch, Alexis O’Donnell, Andrew Kennedy-Derkay, Rebecca Williams, John Kaisler) and nine great-grandchildren.

Randy is survived by three stepchildren, Patricia Bye-Smith in Bethesda, Maryland, Nancie Kondo in Kensington, Maryland, Susan Dasch (Ron) in Westminster, Pennsylvania. A stepson, David Bye, passed away in 2018.

Randy was preceded in death by a brother Ronald Clyde Kennedy, who died at nine months due to pneumonia.

Beloved cat Lucy was always by Randy’s side during his illness.

Randy has requested the omission of flowers but memorial contributions may be made to Salem United Methodist Church (Legacy Fund) 12 High St, Brookville, MD 2083; or to Compassion International, PO Box 65000, Colorado Springs, CO 80962-9951

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a funeral service to be held at Salem United Methodist Church will be limited to immediate family and a few close friends. A private interment of Randy’s cremains will take place at a later date.

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