T L Kennedy, 89, passed from this life on Monday, July 27, 2026, at his home in Belton TX.

T L was born February 1, 1937, in Howard County, Texas. He was the son of George and Bessie Kennedy. T L graduated from Big Spring High School (TX). He married his high school sweetheart Rexie Jeane Kennedy (nee Nance) on August 5, 1956, at Trinity Baptist Church, Big Spring TX.

In January of 1957, T L and Jeane, with a call from God, moved to Arlington, Texas to attend Bible Baptist Seminary. November of 1960, He was drafted into the U.S. Army, attended training at Ft. Hood TX, and was stationed at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. While they were there they were blessed with the birth of their first son, Thomas Lyon, August 10, 1962. T L received early honorable discharge to finish seminary studies.

T L and Jeane served in churches for 35 years. His first pastorate was Centre Avenue Baptist Church in Artesia NM. Timothy Lane, their second son, was welcomed into the family on August 6, 1965. The Kennedys served at a mission, Schunior Baptist Chapel in Edinburg TX for 9.5 years that was organized into University Baptist Church. They served 6 years in Port O’Connor TX, 8 years at First Baptist Church, Kempner TX, and 10 years at Westcliff Baptist, now Eastlake Baptist Church in Killeen TX. During his last years of pastoral ministry, he completed his CPE training. He then served at Kings Daughters Hospital and Scott and White hospitals until his retirement.

T L greatly enjoyed fishing, woodwork, and painting. During their years in Edinburg, he and Jeane became rockhounds and the family traveled to gem shows around south Texas. He also owned and operated Kencraft Custom Woodwork 1984-1993.

T L is survived by his wife, Jeane; his two children, Tom (Donna) Kennedy of Belton TX and Lane (Kimberly) Kennedy of Rogers TX; 6 grandchildren, Lindsey Kennedy PhD of Indianapolis IN, Megan (Ramsey) Mezayek of Fort Bend TX, Rebecca Kennedy of Belton TX, Allison Kennedy of Lubbock TX, Garrett (Candice) Kennedy of Bryan TX, and Jonathan Kennedy of Belton TX; and 2 great-grandchildren (Garrett and Candice), Etta and Merit.

A celebration of his life and loving marriage will be held Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Nolan Valley Baptist Church, Belton TX. A short celebration service will be held at 2 pm in the worship center, followed by fellowship for family and friends. T L will be interned at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at a later date.

The family would like to specifically thank Dr. Edward Fasolino and Hannah Pavel of Scott and White Clinic in Belton for their loving and thoughtful care of T L for many years, and to the therapists and nurses from TexMed Home Health for their extraordinary care and love shown to T L and Jeane during his time homebound.

We thank Harper-Talasek Funeral Home in Belton with assistance in arrangements.