Danny "Dan" Kennedy

Funeral services for Danny “Dan” Kennedy, age 70 of Henderson, Texas, are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Sunday, December 14, 2025, at the Caudle-Rutledge-Daugherty Funeral Home chapel in Lindale, Texas with Pastor Mike Mayhugh officiating. Danny Ray Kennedy, a proud Texan, talker extraordinaire, straight shooter, an encourager and lover of people, yet cantankerous at times, died Tuesday, December 9, 2025. He fought a valiant battle with esophageal cancer for almost six months. Danny Ray was born on November 29, 1955 to E.H. Kennedy and Tincie Cornelia (Glasscock) Kennedy, in Tyler, Texas. Dan was the baby of three boys and attended John Tyler High School. He obtained his associates degree from Tyler Junior College where, according to him, he thankfully didn’t pursue a petroleum engineering degree. Dan worked briefly as a women’s shoe salesman while paying for college. He would later attribute his patience with the women in his life to lessons learned while selling those shoes. Dan adored his two daughters, Kerissa and Kaleigh. He was particularly proud of how independent they are and, although two very different women, their shared wit and stubbornness, clearly inherited from him. He was so proud of his only son, Kameron, often referred to as “his number one son.” Kam inherited Dan’s unique ability to stay calm under tremendous pressure. He was so proud of the husband and father Kameron is to his wife and three children. Although Dan met Karen in junior high, they reconnected later in life and were married for three beautiful years. Dan had been a longtime resident of Lindale before moving to Henderson where they were members of the First Methodist Church. In his spare time, Dan enjoyed spending time with his beloved family. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Jerry and Bobby Kennedy. Dan had a lifelong passion for oil and gas. He was proud to be a part of the oilpatch. He was an oil and gas consultant for over 40 years. He often said he loved what he did and encouraged his children and grandchildren to find occupations they loved (like him), so that they didn’t feel like they were going to work. Dan was a gritty small business owner, often sought out for his expertise and experience. He was fierce when it came to saving his clients’ money and would run anyone off location that didn’t understand that priority. Known for having a tough exterior, Dan was really a big-hearted guy that deeply enjoyed helping others. He particularly loved Texas Oilfield Angels, a non-profit company that exists to support oilfield families in times of critical need. He was a faithful volunteer and sat on the board for years. Dan was a food connoisseur. He considered beans and cornbread a perfectly complete meal. A fried bologna sandwich, a BLT, and veggies straight from the garden were among his favorite. His grandkids particularly enjoyed his famous grilled veggies- an assortment of summer squash, onions, and potatoes, slightly burned of course. He never could quite match his mother’s ability to cook the perfect purple hulled peas, but it wasn’t from lack of effort. Dan was known for his famous one-liners. If someone wasn’t moving quickly enough or didn’t want to complete a task, he would exasperatedly say, “well great day!” He avidly believed “for every dollar you can make in the corporate world, you can make two dollars working for yourself.” Sometimes when things weren’t working, he would say, “you can’t make a square peg fit in a round hole.” Dan particularly despised driving on I-20 or any major interstate, really. When given the choice, he would have rather taken backroads and arrive a little later than “deal with I-20.” Dan often said to the young adults in his life complaining about a workday that “his day was over by 9 am”, meaning he had already put in 8 hours and was heading for a 14–16-hour day. He frequently reminded everyone that there were in fact “24 hours in a day, not just 8.” Dan took fashion cues from no one. His signature look was his wrangler blue jeans, henley-style t-shirt – three buttons only and occasionally a pocket for his pen. He was extremely serious about the pens in which he wrote with and would only use gel. He polished off his look with suspenders and Velcro sandals he wore year-round. Very much a part of his overall persona, was his red truck. He only drove red trucks as he believed they were more visible on the road and of course his signature on location. He was ever so picky about the tires that were on his red trucks and of course the final touch: the powder coated red grill to match! Throughout life, in the peaks and valleys, the trials and tribulations, Dan never wavered in his faith. He loved the Lord and believed that if Jesus could use him, He could use anyone. His mother and father preceded him in death. One of the last things he said to his mother was, “I’ll see you in 15 minutes.” It was a reference to how fleeting our time really is on earth and the faith that we will spend eternity with Christ and those who love Him. It is with joy and great expectation that we say to Dan, “we will see you in 15 minutes.” If you wish to make a donation to the Texas Oilfield Angels in Dan’s name, the family would be honored. The mission of Texas Oilfield Angels was very near and dear to his heart. The family would like to thank the ER and ICU nurses and doctors at Baylor Scott and White Dallas that cared for Dan on his way to heaven. They provided the answers we needed, were truly a godsend, and so very compassionate. Dan is survived by his wife Karen Kennedy of Henderson; daughters, Kerissa Payne of Argyle and Kaleigh Kennedy of Dallas; son, Kameron Kennedy and wife, Darisse of Lindale; stepdaughters, Krista Miller of Canton and Kayla Miller of Nacogdoches; grandchildren, Baylor and wife London, Mattison, Tyler, Braeden, Malachi, Eleanor, Branam and Jareth; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, E.H. and Tincie (Glasscock) Kennedy and his brothers, Jerry and Bobby Kennedy. Family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Caudle-Rutledge-Daugherty Funeral Home in Lindale.

Danny "Dan" Kennedy

November 29, 1955 - December 9, 2025