Gary Duane Kessinger

Gary Duane Kessinger age 71 of Louisville, Kentucky succumbed to his Leukemia but not without first giving it two black eyes and a bloody nose on Sunday June 28, 2026 Gary was born on November 22, 1954 in Louisville Kentucky to Prentice (Blackie) and Betty Kessinger. Gary grew up in Louisville, Kentucky where he graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School and developed an early love for racing, especially NASCAR and Mammoth Cave, visiting the cave system over 100 times in his lifetime. Gary went on to proudly serve in the U.S. Navy as a corpsman and earned his bachelor’s degree in Hospital Management from Old Dominion University. He retired from the Navy after 23 years of service.

Gary was preceded in death by his son Christopher and parents Prentice and Betty.

Gary is survived by his loving wife, Lisa Bowling; four children, son Bryan Kessinger and daughters, Meghan Beeman (Joe), Amber Nicole (Nathaniel) and Kayla-Ann (Garrett); 10 grandchildren, KylieAnna, Blake, Jayce, Dominic, Parker, Lexa, Tom Ash, Ashlynn, Paige and Addison; brother, Danny Kessinger (Joyce); and a sister, Janet Hudson. Surviving family members also include an aunt and uncle and nieces, nephews and cousins. 

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, July 9 2026 at Newcomer Cremations Funerals and Receptions, 235 Juneau Drive Louisville, Kentucky 40243. Visitation will be from 10:00am-12:00pm Thursday with the Celebration of Life service beginning at 12:00pm. A graveside service will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, 4623 Preston Hwy., Louisville, Kentucky 40213.

The family would like to thank the entire staff of the Norton Cancer Institute St. Matthew’s for all of their love, support and encouragement.

 Expressions of sympathy can be made to the Friends of Mammoth Cave at MammothFriends.org

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