J.H. "Ken" Kennedy, Jr. of Columbus, Mississippi

March 15, 1933 - September 3, 2021

Joseph Harry (Ken) Kennedy, Jr. of Columbus, Mississippi, died September 3, 2021, at

Baptist Memorial Hospital Columbus, Mississippi.

Ken was born March 15, 1933, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Harry Kennedy, Sr., his mother, Geneva

Yarbrough Kennedy, and his daughter, Martha Claire Kennedy Fitzner.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years Nancy Smith Kennedy, son-in-law Arthur

Richardson Fitzner of Columbus and his grandson, Thomas Kennedy Fitzner of Los

Angeles.

Ken graduated from S. D. Lee High School and Mississippi State University where he

earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1955. While at MSU, he was a member of

Sigma Chi Fraternity, Scabbard and Blade Military Society, Cadet Colonel of Air Force

ROTC and the MSU Tennis Team.

Ken began his career as a Captain and pilot in the United States Air Force. In later years

he would be named a Columbus Air Force Base Honorary Commander, and serve as a

member of the chamber Military Affairs Committee, Base Community Council and Air

Force Association.

Following his military service, Ken was an accountant at TE Lott & Company, CPAs,

where he contributed 61 years assisting businesses and individuals. During his time at the

company, he would be named partner and serve as President, Chief Operating Office and

a board member. He was a Past President of the MS Society of CPAs, and a governing

council member of the American Society of CPAs.

A lifelong servant of the community, Ken lent his time and talents as a member of

numerous civic and non-profit organizations. He was a passionate supporter of the Frank

1. Phillips Memorial YMCA, having served as a Trustee and President of the Board of

Directors locally. He also held leadership positions on state and regional YMCA boards.

As a lifelong resident of Columbus, Ken fully invested in his community by serving as a

member, and often an officer, of the Columbus Lowndes Development Foundation,

Kiwanis Club, United Way of Columbus, the Order of the Daedalians, Magnolia Tennis

Club, Salvation Army and Sons of the American Revolution.

Ken and his family attended First United Methodist Church of Columbus where he held

leadership roles as a Trustee and past Chairman of numerous boards. Among many other

involvements, he was a member of the choir, a Sunday school teacher, a certified Lay

Speaker, and a founding member and volunteer with the Emmaus Walk Community.

While a Bulldog at heart, Ken was a dedicated supporter of his wife’s alma mater

Mississippi University for Women. Ken served MUW as interim Vice President for

Institutional Advancement and interim President of the MUW Foundation. He was a

former member of the board of directors and officer of the MUW Foundation Board. He

was instrumental in establishing the Nancy Kennedy Grand Piano practice room at MUW

in his wife’s honor.

Ken was an avid tennis player, a staunch Mississippi State Bulldogs fan and a

competitive golfer. While he was an accomplished man, his greatest passion and pride

was his family to whom he devoted all his life and love.

A graveside service will be held Tuesday September 7, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Friendship Cemetery with Rev. Jimmy Criddle and Rev Anne Russell-Bradley officiating.

Serving as pallbearers were, DeWitt Hicks, Tommy Howard, Peter Koury, Toby Lott, Si Thomas, Robert Whitaker, Allen Wyckoff

Nick Wyckoff, and Smith Wyckoff

Memorials may be offered to the Frank P. Phillips Memorial YMCA (602 2nd Ave N,

Columbus, MS 39701) or the First United Methodist Church (602 Main St, Columbus,

MS 39701).