Vincent D. Kennedy, 85; State Retail Leader

Vincent D. Kennedy, managing director of the California Retailers Assn. since its creation in 1934, has died at his summer retirement home in Idaho.

He was 85 when he died July 9 in Pocatello. He had retired in 1969.

A graduate of McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific, Kennedy began his career as a secretary to California Gov. C. C. Young in 1927.

He was in charge of the Southern California headquarters of the State Railroad Commission when the retailers group was formed to give a focal point to the stores and specialty shops in the state.

He also served on an advisory council to the state Department of Employment and as an employer representative on the federal Advisory Council on Unemployment Insurance. Later he became a legislative advocate in Sacramento, where he was born and lived most of his life.

Survivors include his wife, Selma, two sons, a daughter and nine grandchildren.