Jerry Kennedy

Jerry Wayne Kennedy, 84, of Little Rock went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 9, 2026. He was born April 15, 1942, in a farmhouse near Mineral Springs, AR to the late Alton and Cleo Kennedy. He was also preceded in death by his loving wife Nancy of 55 years and his brother Donald.

He grew up in Texarkana, AR and graduated from Texarkana Arkansas High School in 1960. He attended Southern State University (formerly Southern State College), for two years, where he met Nancy Wallis. He transferred to the University of Arkansas in 1962 and graduated in 1965 with a degree in Industrial Engineering.

He is survived by his daughter Joely Kennedy Fletcher of Little Rock, AR, his son Greg Kennedy (wife, Chris) of Centennial, CO, granddaughter, Natalie Fletcher of Rogers, AR and grandsons Blake and Luke Kennedy, and great-granddaughter Grace Bentia of Centennial, CO. He is also survived by three nieces.

After graduating from the U of A, he worked in Texarkana before marrying Nancy in August 1965. The couple moved to Searcy, AR in 1966 where their daughter Joely was born in 1968. He and his family moved to Jackson, TN in late 1968 and then to Hot Springs, AR in 1970.

They moved to Little Rock in 1974 where he worked at Fiberglass Systems (formerly Smith Fiberglass) and where their son Greg was born. In 1995 he (with Nancy) moved to China to start a fiberglass pipe manufacturing company for Smith Fiberglass in Harbin, China. While oversees, he and Nancy traveled within China, along with visiting other countries, including Bali, Thailand and Australia. They returned to Little Rock in 1999, and he managed the manufacturing and engineering operations at Smith in Little Rock until he retired in 2006.

After retiring, he and Nancy continued their love of traveling and traveled to many areas in the beautiful USA. He was a member of Fellowship Bible Church where he worshipped and enjoyed serving with a group of men doing home repairs for older adults and single moms.

He was a long-time annual worshipper, camper, and Trustee of Ebenezer Campground in southwest Arkansas. He was also a Colson Fellow.

He became a woodworker after retiring and enjoyed making toys for his grandchildren and other children and making furniture. He also enjoyed fly fishing in Arkansas and other states.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM on Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at Smith Little Rock Funeral Home (8801 Knoedl Court). A memorial service will be held at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock.

Donations may be made in Jerry's memory to Alzheimer's Arkansas.