Kenneth Nelson Soud

SEPTEMBER 23, 1943 – NOVEMBER 10, 2024

A native of Jacksonville, Kenneth was the eldest of four children born to Merck and Margaret Soud. He grew up in a lively Lebanese-American home where his life revolved around spending time with a large extended family, food, and, most importantly, Christian faith. His faith was the foundation of his life beginning at Mount Olive Presbyterian Church, where his beloved Uncle Gabriel served as Pastor.

Kenneth attended Robert E. Lee High School and during that time joined the DeMolay Riverside Chapter youth organization. He was a proud finalist in DeMolay’s State Flower Talk competition. He then graduated from St. John’s River Junior College, where he captained the Debate Team. He also attended the University of Florida and was drafted into the U.S. Navy in his senior year. He served as a Reservist for 6 years.

Kenneth began his career in 1967 with Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company. In 1976, he joined National Life Insurance Company of Vermont, and two years later was appointed General Agent, a role he held until his retirement in 1996. During those years, he served as President of National Life’s General Agents Association, as well as President of both Jacksonville’s and the State of Florida’s General Agents and Managers Associations.

Kenneth was active in his church, St. John’s Presbyterian in Jacksonville, serving as Elder and Sunday School teacher. He was proud of his city and, through his membership in the Jacksonville Commodore’s League, enjoyed using his boat to showcase Jacksonville’s waterfront to visiting business leaders and dignitaries. He was also a charter member of Epping Forest Yacht Club.

While his success in business and leadership in his community and church were significant parts of his life, Kenneth’s family brought him his greatest joy. In 1973, he married his better half, Holly Fulford Soud, and found his partner for life. They were married 51 years.

In 1996, he and Holly moved to St. Augustine Beach for a change of lifestyle. Kenneth continued to embrace life fully, pursuing many hobbies including boating, parasailing, motorcycle riding, sports car driving, scuba diving, fishing, dancing, traveling, and more. He always embraced a new challenge or adventure and was thankful to God for every experience and opportunity.

One of Kenneth’s greatest gifts was showing hospitality, especially through sharing his Lebanese food heritage. Together he and Holly made an amazing team, opening their home (and kitchen) to everyone. Kenneth loved to fire up the grill, and his breakfast for his grandchildren was legendary.

Their home became the centerpiece of countless holidays and celebrations with family and friends, radiating joy to anyone who entered. Kenneth never met a stranger, often to the embarrassment of his children and grandchildren, and he enjoyed striking up conversations everywhere he went. He truly aimed to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and had mastered the art of steering conversations toward the Christian faith.

Along with his Uncle Gabriel in 2014, Kenneth established the Abdullah Family Foundation, whose mission is to train people to proclaim the Gospel through faith-based grants and scholarships. In 2015, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary invited him to join the Advisory Board for their Jacksonville Campus. He served as Chairman of the Board from 2016-2019. The Seminary environment inspired Kenneth to go back to “school,” and he enrolled in classes to pursue a Certificate in Christian Studies, which he obtained in 2020.

Kenneth’s greatest calling in retirement became leading a Men’s Bible Study, which he founded in St. Augustine in 1999. He put word out that he would be hosting a group on Thursdays at 7:00am, and before long had gathered men of all denominations, many of whom were previously unacquainted. They met at various locations around town, beginning with The Oasis Bar, followed by the Marsh Creek Clubhouse, YMCA, and, after the pandemic, ZOOM. The Bible Study continues, and on Thursday, November 7th, Kenneth was able to connect via video call to watch as the members all prayed for him after he was hospitalized due to injuries sustained in a fall.

Kenneth passed away at Baptist Hospital on Sunday, November 10th. In his last earthly moments he was surrounded by his family who joined in prayer and the singing of hymns, as was Kenneth's practice on the Lord's Day.

Kenneth is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Holly; his children, Cindy (Steve) Szczecinski, Mark (Karissa) Soud, and Julia (Greg) Hicks; and his grandchildren, William (Caroline) Szczecinski, Caroline (Duncan) Kleinbub, Gabriel Soud, Miriam Soud, Abraham Soud, Anavah Soud, Layla Fattahi, Nadia Fattahi, Lucas Hicks and Nadya Hicks; and his siblings, Gerry Soud (Jann), Janelle Baggett (Robert), and Daniel Soud (Marlene).

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 4275 Herschel Street, Jacksonville, Florida, 32210. A reception will follow the service in the Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Abdullah Family Foundation Fund through the Community Foundation for Northeast Florida’s website.