Paul Ray Kennedy was born February 23, 1929 in Naples, Texas to Charlie Butler Kennedy and Florizell
Vaughan Kennedy, and was greeted at heaven's gates on December 18, 2023. Paul married his wife of
73 years, Maxine Kennedy, or Mackie as he referred to her, on February 4, 1950. He was a United States
Air Force Veteran, having served as an Air Traffic Controller in Texas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Indiana,
Japan, Philippines, and Greenland. After retiring from the Air Force, he worked for Sears as an appliance
salesman. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Bill, Leonard; James Kennedy, and
one sister, Mildred Belyeu. He is survived by his wife, Maxine Kennedy; daughter Joalyce Rodgers and
son-in-law Wayne Rodgers; daughter Vicki Arnold and son-in-law Michael Arnold; grandchildren -- Jake
Arnold (Ashley); Ali Petty (Bryan); Lauren Belcher (Steven); Wayne Rodgers, Jr.; ten great-grandchildren
– Kylin & Kasen Arnold; Tyce, Kya, Khloe; Kynslee Petty; Jackson May; Quinn Belcher; Colton; Dylan
Rodgers; nieces, nephews and friends.
Paul accepted Jesus as his Savior and was baptized at the age of 26 at Congress Avenue Baptist Church in
Austin, TX. His life included membership at numerous churches including Calvary Baptist Church of
Garland and First Baptist Church of Garland where he was a member at the time of his death. He
donated his time working at the Friendship House each week as long as he was able. He was dedicated
to bringing joy to those around him and always had a joke to tell. He was extremely accomplished in his
94 years of life. He was an avid fisherman, loved to go camping, collected coins, could name any bird by
their chirp, loved his family and spending time with his wife swinging on their porch swing. He was a
devoted husband, daddy, grandpa, uncle and friend.
Funeral services will be held on December 27 th at Williams Funeral Directors in Garland, Texas. Interment
will follow at Richland Cemetery in Brinker, Texas.