Appalachia, VA – Gary “Doc” Kennedy, 74, passed away on May 16, 2026 at Ridgecrest Manor and Rehabilitation in Duffield, VA. Born in Appalachia, VA on June 14, 1951, he graduated from Appalachia High School in 1969. He worked for Westmoreland Coal Company from 1972 to 1995, the Virginia Department of Corrections from 1995-2013 and served as an officer for UMWA Local 1607 for several years. He also served as a volunteer firefighter/EMT on Appalachia Fire Department for several years. He served as a coach and umpire for Appalachia Little League Baseball and was president and coach of the Appalachia Peanut Football program for many years.
Doc loved to ride motorcycles and take long trips out west with his son, Adam. He loved hiking, backpacking, hunting, fishing and anything outdoors.
You always knew exactly where you stood with him because he never sugar-coated anything, unless he was speaking to his wife or daughter. That’s the way it’s supposed to be.
He was a simple man and he was a family man, always showing up for his children and grandchildren. He will be very missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Ann (Hensley) Kennedy; wife, Kathryn (Atkins) Kennedy; daughter, Leigh Ann Kennedy Bolinskey and sister, Pat Kennedy.
Doc is survived by son, Adam and Jennifer Kennedy; grandchildren, Tanner Kennedy, Colton Kennedy, Addison Kennedy, Jasmine Bolinskey and Brycen Bolinskey; several nephews and a niece; and too many friends to list.
The family will receive friends on May 23, 2026 from 5:00-7:00pm at Gilliam Funeral Home, 618 Wood Ave. W., Big Stone Gap, VA. A UMWA service, by the UMWA Subdistrict Chaplain Corp., will be held at 7:00pm followed by a Celebration of Life Service.
To view the obituary online and offer condolences, visit www.gilliamfuneralhome.com or the funeral home Facebook page.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory, Big Stone Gap, VA is honored to serve the Kennedy family.