Michael "Mike" Kennedy

Michael (Mike) Raymond Kennedy, 67, of Harrisburg, passed away on April 27, 2020, at Atrium Health Main in Charlotte.

Mike was born September 19, 1952 to Lucy Dartt and the late Edward Matthew Kennedy in St. Clair, IL.  After graduating from East St. Louis High School in 1968, he went on to Bailey Tech to study electronics and mechanics.

Mike was a member of the Harrisburg Volunteer Fire Department and was active during Hurricane Hugo as a first responder. His personal relationship with his Lord and Savior as an acolyte in his home church and grew ever stronger throughout his life. He enjoyed working with the property team at his church and helping construct the outdoor Nativity Scene each year at Christmas. Mike was a lover of all kinds of music from Boogie-woogie, to ZZ Top, classical, and favorite old-time hymns.  Mike also loved watching movies and reading technical manuals and said he was full of superfluous information and had lots of questions.

In his late teens, Mike landed his first job as an assistant manager and auto parts mechanic at a Shell station. After finishing school, he later came down to Charlotte, NC with his Uncle Ed to tint the windows in the First Union building where he met his wife, Rachael. Mike went on to be hired as one of the master carpenters to work on The PTL Club in Fort Mill, SC. Following, he found his home at Duke Energy for 30 plus years as a relay technician.

In 1983, Mike met Rachael Hahn Elmore. It was love at first sight. They wed in 1984, and together they shared their children Kimberly (Mike’s daughter), Philip and Michael (Rachael’s sons).

After retiring from Duke Energy, Mike spent his time driving his Corvette, spoiling his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, tinkering with anything that needed fixing, spending time with his loved ones, rooting on the Panthers and St. Louis Cardinals, traveling with his wife and serving his Lord in his church and community.

Mike is survived by his mother, Lucy Kennedy; his wife, Rachael Hahn Elmore; his siblings Patricia (Kennedy) Vogt and husband, Howard, Tom and wife, Kathy, Tim, Joe and David; his children Kimberly Dellinger, Michael Elmore and wife, Shannon and Philip Elmore; his grandchildren Michael Dellinger and wife, Annalyse, Amber Dellinger, Zoë Elmore, Camden Elmore, Theron Elmore and Isabella Elmore; his great grandchildren Avarey, Adaline and Easton Dellinger and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Due to Covid 19, a memorial service will be set at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mt. Hermon Lutheran Church, 3600 US-601, Concord, NC 28025.

A few weeks ago when Mike was asked, how would you have done life differently if you could do it over again, he replied, “I would have loved more.”

LOVE MORE.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Harrisburg is serving the Kennedy family.