Derek Kennedy, 20, went to be with his Lord Jesus Christ on October 14, 2016 in Troy, Alabama. He was born on November 14, 1995 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was the son of US Army Sergeant Major Casey Kennedy and Melody Kennedy. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00pm on Friday, October 21, 2016 at Calvary Baptist Church with Reverend Dale Morton officiating. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, October 20, 2016 from 5 to 7pm at Laird Funeral Home. From a young age, Derek was always on the go. He loved playing football, baseball, and racing BMX. He loved hunting and fishing, especially with his Dad. He took great pride in being a big brother and had a special relationship with each of his younger siblings. Derek and Allie were best friends growing up and they graduated high school together. He loved having long talks with Katie and giving her advice. He also loved spending time with Luke and being his golf caddy. He had a great love for his family and would text his Mom "I love you "every night. He was a Military child and therefore went to three different high schools in North Carolina, Florida, and Louisiana. He was a member of JROTC, on the wrestling team and a cornerback on the football team. He was also a member of the Crosspoint Church youth group in Niceville, Florida. After high school, Derek went to Tallahassee Community College in Florida and followed that by enrolling in Troy University as a Business Major where he became a part of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. Derek was given many nicknames by his friends; DRex and DJ, just to name a couple. He had a very distinctive and joyful laugh and loved spending time with his friends and his Sigma Chi brothers who were both very important to him. During the summers, Derek would work in construction and had been building a log cabin over this past summer. During his time in Alabama, Derek loved to go hunting, fishing, and watching sunsets at Mr. Paul's land. Some of his Fraternity brothers described Derek as being, Tom Sawyer like, since he often ran around with no shirt, no shoes, and his jeans rolled up. His Mom recently asked him if he needed money for food, and his answer was "No ma'am, if I get hungry, I will go fishing and have a fish fry". Derek had a sincere love for animals. His partner in everything he did was Amos, his blue-heeler. Amos went everywhere with Derek and he even had his own pair of sunglasses. Derek's passion for people was reflected by his many friends and the way he ensured they always had a good time. His sense of humor, as well as his kind, selfless nature will be missed dearly by his friends and family. Derek is survived by his parents, US Army Sergeant Major Casey Kennedy and Melody Kennedy of Montgomery, Texas; Maternal Grandparents, Burton and Merry Christian of Pflugerville, and Nathan Alders, Jr. of Nacogdoches; Paternal Grandparents, Richard and Tina Kennedy of Galveston, and Ann Kennedy of New Orleans, LA; sisters, Allie Kennedy of Tuscaloosa, AL, and Katie Kennedy of Montgomery, Texas; brother, Luke Kennedy of Montgomery, Texas; Girlfriend, Brooke Barker of Troy, AL; his Eta Phi Chapter of Sigma Chi brothers, and his beloved dog, Amos. Derek is also survived by a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and many close friends. Serving as pallbearers will be Luke Kennedy, Christopher Alders, Spencer Rackley, Dylan Cecil, David Ames, Steven Armfield, Trenton Edwards, and Michael Fell. Derek's Eta Phi Chapter of Sigma Chi brothers from Troy University and other close friends will serve as honorary pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made in Derek's honor to The Eta Phi Chapter of the Sigma Chi Fraternity at Troy University or Fairview Cemetery. The family of Derek Kennedy is being served by Laird Funeral Home. To sign an convey condolences or to sign an online register, please visit www.lairdfh.net.