Walter Waddell Kennedy Jr.

Walter Waddell Kennedy, Jr. was born July 18, 1950 to Walter and Mattie Kennedy Sr. in Arkadelphia, AR. He passed on Friday, December 22, 2017. He was a student at Peake Elementary, Peake High School Class of 1968 and Henderson State University Class of 72. He confessed his life to Christ at an early age at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. In high school Walter was in the band where he played the saxophone and he also played football and basketball. While attending Henderson State University he met his wife to be, Khrystian Venitia Jones. Walter graduated from Henderson State University with a Bachelor in Political Science. He pledged Omega Psi Phi Fraternity; he was one of the founding fathers of the Troublesome 18 Spring ‘71. His line brothers were; Alonzo Clayborn, Charles Pearson, Charles Cobbs, Theandrew Clayborn, Joe O’Neal, Gregory Hannah, Kirk Hannah, Johnny Mixon, Gregory Hill, Jerry Jackson, Richard Sutton, Wendell Hughes, Don Baker, Jimmy Carter, Billy LaFear, Sam Reed and John Butler. When Walter graduated from Henderson State University he was the first African American to graduate from Reserve Officers Training Core, ROTC, and program with bars as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was elected “Big Man on Campus.” Walter would later obtain two masters degree from East Texas State University of Texarkana, TX in Interdisciplinary Studies and Business Administration. In 1972 Walter Kennedy joined the United States Army. He would serve a total of 30 years, active and reserved duty, in the military. Major Walter Kennedy served a total of twelve years active duty. While on active duty he was deployed with the 321st MMC Unit of El Dorado, AR to Dessert Storm. After becoming inactive with the United States Army Major Kennedy served another 18 years. Major Kennedy received several awards and/or acknowledgments; Army Service Ribbon, Southwest Asia Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, National Defense Service Medal, Parachutist Badge, Senior Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge, and Overseas Service Ribbon. Major Walter W. Kennedy, Jr. was a man of knowledge and while in the military he did gain knowledge; Basic Airborne CRS, Air Defense Artillery Officer Basic CRS, Special Ammo Officers, Ordnance Basic CRS, Ordnance Officers Advance, Explosive Ordnance Officer Phase I, II, and III CRS. Major Kennedy retired from the military in 2002. Walter started working at Red River Army Depot in 1984, he would retire from RRAD in 2013. While at RRAD Walter worked in Human Resources, it is said that he played a key role in the success of others. He united in marriage with Khrystian Venitia Jones and God blessed them with four wonderful children. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Kennedy Sr. (father), Mattie Leaper (mother), his loving wife, Khrystian Kennedy, his sister Linda Vanderson and his nephew Kenneth Vanderson. He leaves to cherish his memories; his four children, Drake (Kerri) Kennedy, Deric Kennedy, Varonica Kennedy and Darryl Kennedy all of Texarkana, TX, his sister Joyce Love, his nieces Mattilyn McIntyre, Miaya Love of Commerce, TX, his brother Tony (Kimberly) Kennedy of San Antonio, TX, Sam Leaper of Las Vegas, NV, his nephew Kameron (Sheree) Parker of Huntsville, AL, his mother-in-law Jimmie Faye Goodwin of El Dorado, AR, his sister-in-laws Kathay (Larry) Walter of El Dorado, Janice Harris of Millington, TN, and his brother-in-law Michael (Mary) Jones of Fort Worth, TX; 5 grandchildren; Venitia Kennedy, Anfernee Kennedy, Asia Thompson, Drake Kennedy II and Bobbie Kennedy, cousins and close friends. Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, December 30, 2017 at New Providence Missionary Baptist Church with Min. Jimmie Faye Goodwin, eulogist. Interment will be in Rest Haven Cemetery under the direction of Sims Mortuary. Sign the guestbook online at www.simsmortuary.com To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Walter Waddell Kennedy Jr., please visit our flower store.