On April 24, 1988, a handsome young baby boy was born to James Earl Kennedy and the late Pauline Elizabeth Barrett Kennedy, whom they named Paul Nathaniel Kennedy after both of their grandfathers.

He was born in Boulder Colorado as an Army baby, but grew up and received his education in Westwood and Palestine High School. He went on to play College football at Navarro College.

As a child he was a member of McDonald Church of God in Christ, under the leadership of Pastor Roy C. Davis, where he was a faithful drummer of the church. Later on he moved his membership to Faith Tabernacle Ministry, under the leadership of Bishop Carlos Daniels, Sr.

Paul worked in various places, but his smile and hard work will be truly missed from Shep's Bar-B-Que, alongside his uncle and his cousins, that were more like his brothers.

His life departure was in Palestine, Texas, October 3, 2016. His presence will be greatly missed, but his heart will always be with us.  He was preceded in death by his mother, Pauline Elizabeth Kennedy; grandfathers, Jerry Nathaniel Kennedy, Sr. and Paul Edward Barrett; grandmother, Kathleen Lewis.

His loving survivors are his son, Aiden W. Conklin; father, Earl Kennedy; sister, LaTanya Denise Kennedy; grandmother, Elouise Purvey Barrett and a host of aunts, uncles, relatives and friends .