Joseph L. Dr. Kennedy, Iii. Md

Dr. Joseph L. Kennedy III, 55, of Johnson City, passed away on March 30 at Johnson City Medical Center after a brief illness. An obstetrician and gynecologist, Dr. Kennedy specialized in reproductive endrocrinology. He was most recently an assistant professor at Lincoln Memorial University?s DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine in Harrogate, Tenn. Born in Boston, Mass., Dr. Kennedy was the second child and eldest son of Dr. Joseph L. Kennedy, Jr., and the late Nancy Treanor Kennedy. He comes from a long line of physicians, including his father and grandfathers. Raised in Milton, Mass., he was a graduate of Milton High School and Middlebury College. He received his M.D. degree from Tufts University School of Medicine in 1990 and completed his residency at East Carolina University in 1994. In 1996, he completed a fellowship in reproductive endocrinology at The University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Medical Center, where he also met his future wife, Jana L. Woods. The couple married on November 2, 1996. They welcomed their son, Joseph L. Kennedy IV, on August 22, 1998, shortly after moving to Johnson City. After moving to Johnson City, Dr. Kennedy worked for several years at the Center for Applied Reproductive Science, which specialized in IVF and all fertility procedures. In 2012, he joined the faculty of DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine as an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology, as well as chair of fertility. Dr. Kennedy was an active member of Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church. An avid golfer, he also loved tennis and attending his son Joseph?s baseball and basketball games. Dr. Kennedy is survived by his wife of 21 years, Jana L. Woods Kennedy, and their son, Joseph L. Kennedy IV, both of Johnson City; his father, Dr. Joseph L. Kennedy, Jr., and stepmother, Patricia Kennedy, of Boston, Mass.; his sister, Susan Kennedy-Kalafatis, and her husband, Michael Kalafatis, of Shaker Heights, Ohio; his brother, John Kennedy, and his wife, Emily, of Manhattan Beach, Calif.; his brother, Brian Kennedy, and his wife, Valerie, of Milton, Mass.; his stepsister, Clarissa Johnston, and her husband, Claiborne, of Austin, Tex.; his stepbrother, Michael Foran, and his wife, Lisa, of Milton, Mass.; his stepsister, Victoria Register, and her husband, David, of Brookline, Mass.; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Dr. Kennedy also leaves behind his father-in-law, Raymond E. Woods, whom he adored; two brothers-in-law, Gary E. Woods and his wife Helena, and their daughters, Katherine and Sarah Woods, and Raymond Clayton Woods and his wife Moria, and their children, Christopher and Amanda Woods, Kelly and Collin ; and special family friends Ava Stanczac, Professor of Pediatrics at Lincoln Memorial University, and dear neighbors, Peter and Sylvia Speropulos. He was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Nancy Treanor Kennedy, and his beloved mother-in-law, Vivian Lewis Woods. Dr. Kennedy?s family would also like to give special thanks to the Rev. Mark Goodan, Rev. Michael Lester, Patty Muse and Parish Nurse Lindy Kinser for their support during his illness. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 6, at Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church. A funeral service will follow at 7:00 p.m., with Rev. Mark Goodan and Rev. Michael Lester presiding. Pallbearers include: Joseph L. Kennedy IV, Michael Kalafatis, Allen Reeves, Tom Lee, Brian Kennedy, John Kennedy and Michael Foran. Honorary pallbearers include Raymond E. Woods as well as the men of the United Methodist Faith. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church, 201 S. Roan St., Johnson City, Tenn., 37601; First United Methodist Church, 307 Virginia Ave., Pineville, Ky., 40977; or Holston United Methodist Home for Children, 404 Holston Dr., Greeneville, Tenn., 37743.