Ray Kennedy Jr.

He is survived by his wife of 66-years, Bernadine G. Kennedy, his three sons, seven grand-children and two great grand-children.

Born the son of David R. Kennedy, Sr. and Margaret Alexander and brother to Jeanne Prince Waggoner – he was an excellent student and athlete at Isaac Litton High School playing on the winning team in the inaugural Clinic Bowl game that decided the Nashville City Football championship before graduating in 1948. He received a Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech in 1952 and promptly commenced a career in the United States Navy which included three years of Korean War era active service and ended with his retirement in the rank of Commander, USNR. Beginning in 1955, he worked at Kennedy & Bowden Machine Co. Inc. ascending to become President in 1964 and sole owner shortly thereafter. In this role, he guided the firm into becoming one of the leading Tool and Die Manufacturing firms in the region remaining active in the operations of the business well into his eighties. Throughout his career, he robustly supported an apprenticeship program that allowed promising high school students in Nashville to receive the training leading to careers as machinists and mold builders. An Industry leader, he served in various national officer roles before becoming the Chairman of the Board of the National Tool Manufacturers Association for 1993 during which he was invited to the White House and attended international conferences.

For over 60 years he was a member of Crievewood Baptist Church serving on various committees and actively participating in Sunday school classes. He was a fisherman, private pilot and an avid woodworker, as the latter he produced many cherished pieces that are already considered heirlooms. As the patriarch of an extensive and loving family, he lead by example. He was always eager to share his wisdom and life stories with his loved ones. He touched many lives and provided friendship to a wide-ranging group of friends.

Survived by: David R. Kennedy III and wife Cathy Henley Kennedy, Peter L. Kennedy and wife Georgette Roney Kennedy and Joseph C. “Chris” Kennedy and wife Kathleen Swanson Kennedy of San Diego, CA. Grandchildren include: Michael and Erin Kennedy, Nickolette Kennedy, Katrina Kennedy, Keenan Kennedy Nichols and husband Andrew, Jake R. Kennedy, David Spencer Kennedy and Molly Margaret Kennedy. Great-Grandchildren include Alexander Kennedy and Theodore Raymond Kennedy.

A Memorial Service will be held at Crievewood Baptist Church on Saturday December 11th at 11am preceded by visitation from 9 to 11am. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made to either The Tunnel-To-Towers foundation (t2t.org) or Wounded Warriors Project (woundedwarriorproject.org) in his memory.