James "Al" Kennedy

Mr. James Albert (Al) Kennedy, 84, of Newnan, formerly of Culleoka, TN, and Columbia, TN, passed away Thursday, July 31, 2025 at home. He was born January 10, 1941 at the Kings Daughters Hospital in Columbia, TN, to the late Carlton Abner Kennedy and Ruby Drake Kennedy. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Dr. John Henry (Jack) Kennedy. Al grew up in Culleoka, TN, and was a graduate of Columbia Military Academy. He graduated from Duke University where he majored in mechanical engineering in 1962 with honors in Tau Beta Pi, Pi Tau Sigma, Pi Mu Epsilon and Phi Beta Sigma. He began his engineering career at Monsanto Chemical Company (1962-1972) in Columbia and continued to work with Monsanto in East Stroudsburg, PA, and St. Louis, MO, and Chemtech Industries (1973-1977) also in St. Louis. In 1977, Al joined the William L. Bonnell Company and settled in Newnan, GA. In 1989, he established his own company, Kennedy Eurotech. He worked as a consultant to many in the aluminum extrusion field, wrote technical articles, and represented international high-tech companies in the aluminum community. His technical manual, Extrusion Press Maintenance Manual, is considered a benchmark textbook on the subject. In 2024, the Aluminum Extruders Council bestowed him with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. He continued to consult and to work on keeping his manual updated until only months before his death. Al was a member of the Newnan Kiwanis Club for over 45 years and especially enjoyed sitting at the ticket gate at the fair every fall and greeting everyone. His warmth and his gentle wit will be missed by his family and his friends. He was a longtime member of the Church of Christ and was most recently worshiping with the Cedar Grove Church of Christ in Fairburn, GA. Al is survived by his wife of 62 years, Sandra Richardson Kennedy, son Andy (Karen) Kennedy; daughters Alice (Craig) Jackson and Elizabeth Brownlee; grandchildren Christopher (Daysha) Brownlee, Cole Kennedy, Madison Brownlee, Oren Kennedy, Jacob Brownlee; great granddaughter Natalie Rose Brownlee; and sister-in-law, Nancy Wildsmith. The funeral is Saturday, August 9, 2025 at 2:00 at Newnan Church of Christ, 2675 Highway 34 East, with his beloved son-in-law Craig Jackson officiating. Visitation will be at 1:00 preceding the service. As memorials, donations can be made to Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Efforts, P O Box 111180, Nashville, TN 37222-1180 Give ' Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort, Inc. Condolences can be expressed online at www.mckoon.com. McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory (770) 253-4580

James "Al" Kennedy

January 10, 1941 - July 31, 2025