Dennis James Kennedy
(November 24, 1941 – July 20, 2026)
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of my dad, Dennis, 84, of Little Rock, Arkansas, who departed this life on July 20, 2026, surrounded by his family and in the arms of his daughter. He is at peace after bladder, prostate, and testicular cancer left him with a urostomy bag and a self-proclaimed name of “one nut”, years of Parkinson’s, and a heart attack. He also had diabetes that he treated with ice cream, candy, and chocolate bars.
Dad was born in Minnesota, but grew up in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. He served two terms in the Vietnam war as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy. After the Navy, he moved to California where he met and married Regan in 1970. They moved to Texas in 1982 where they lived in the Dallas area until he retired in 2009. He devoted his work life to the Distribution Contractors Association as the Executive Vice President. Don’t ask me to explain what he did for work because I can’t. It wasn’t a normal job, but it involved me getting to travel the world by his side and facilitated lifelong friendships. Dad played memorable golf courses including Pebble Beach, PGA National, Torrey Pines, along with courses in Hawaii, Ireland, and Scotland. They moved to Arkansas where dad lived out his golfing days, playing almost daily, and earning his second hole in one.
Beyond his profession, Dad will be remembered for his witty and stubborn personality and his love of the 49ers, Cowboys, and Packers. All teams from the states he lived in and if they ever played each other, he was sure to be satisfied either way. In 2002 (when I went to college) he became a devoted Arkansas Razorback fan and has spent the last 24 years in disappointment. If he ever took a picture of you, he would get the group to smile with “say bullshit.” The times he’s made us laugh are endless.
Dad was a devoted family man who always showed up for his grandchildren. He leaves behind a legacy of hard work and unconditional love, but above all, he was the greatest and most generous dad in the world. I will miss him until we meet again.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 56 years; his one and only Daughter, Sarah (Zach) and his three cherished grandchildren, Cullen, Reed, and Cole who was born on Dad’s 70th birthday. He also had two best friends; Ken, who introduced dad to motorcycles, causing him to buy a Harley during his midlife crisis and Jack, who poorly influenced his decision to buy a corvette convertible when he was 75. Dad sold the motorcycle after running into a tree in the front yard and terrifyingly drove the corvette until about two weeks ago.
A funeral will not be held, at his request, and because we don’t like them anyways. He will get a military send off at some point because he earned that. Dad wanted to be catapulted off the USS Forrestal, but since that ship isn’t in service anymore, we might have to slingshot some ashes into the ocean.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Osteosarcoma Institute in honor of his grandson, Cole, who has survived cancer twice. https://osinst.org/coles-pack
Cremation arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com
4 Comments
So sad to hear of this. He was such an awesome guy with whom I wish I had spent way more time.
I have admired Dennis since I was a little boy. While he was only about four years older, I remember watching him star for his high school basketball team in Lacrosse. Wisconsin. His energy, smarts, sense of humor and intelligence wete a beacon to me at that time. Over the years, I continued to admire his personal and professional achievements. We are not surprised thst he was a great husband, Dad and Grandpa. I am proud to be his cousin. We share this great loss with his family and friends. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
I run a Wednesday Golf Game in Hot Springs Village and Dennis played in that game almost every week until his health problems and had to finally quit but I have kept him on the email list so he could keep up with the group. We all thought the world of Dennis and thye don’t make guys like him anymore.
The Osteosarcoma Institute extends our heartfelt condolences to the Bright family on the passing of their beloved father and grandfather.
We join with family and friends in honoring a life well lived and a legacy of love that will continue through the many lives he touched. During this time of loss, we hope your family will feel strength in the days ahead, and that treasured memories.
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