In Memoriam: Jonas T. Kennedy, 1917-2014
Filed in In Memoriam on March 21, 2014
Jonas T. Kennedy, a trustee emeritus and long-term financial supporter of Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina, died on March 14 in Hartsville, South Carolina. He was 97 years old.
A native of Bennettsville, South Carolina, Kennedy attended Claflin University but transferred to what is now South Carolina State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture. He took over the family farm in 1939 and became an internationally known expert in turkey farming. His highly successful Kennedy Turkey farm was destroyed by a tornado in 1984.
Kennedy’s contributions financed the construction of three buildings on the Claflin University campus including the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center.
A great man. I was born and raised on the Kennedy Farm. My father worked for Dr. Kennedy from age 15 until he died in 1999. I work on the farm every summer when school was out from 9th grade until I graduated high school. My life was enriched by knowing him. He and his wife are greatly missed.
Hello Ronny. How have you been? Where are you? I live with my husband John Hepburn