Allen E. Kennedy, Sr.

On February 11, 2024, Allen Eugene Kennedy, Sr., completed his journey on earth filled with service and faith; his was the epitome of a life well lived.  Allen passed away at the age of 76, after a courageous battle with cancer.   

Allen, a lifelong resident of Hancock County, was born on May 22, 1947, to James Kenneth Kennedy and Ruth Coons Kennedy.  Allen graduated from Hancock County High School in 1965.  Shortly after graduation, on October 22, 1966, he married his high school sweetheart (who became his wife of 52 years), Lois Kathryn Wiles Kennedy.  Lois and Allen had two children, Allen, Jr. and Michelle.  Over the years, Allen and Lois cheered on Allen Jr., and Michelle at countless band competitions and basketball, baseball and softball games.  In his later years, Allen frequently attended Nashville Predators games with Michelle, who serves as the President and Chief Operating Officer for the Predators.

Allen was a long-time employee of Aleris (and its predecessor entities), with a career that started in 1972 and spanned 38 years.  His roles at Aleris covered a broad spectrum, starting as an electrician and ascending to management roles after spending 4 years as President of the Steelworkers Union, eventually concluding his career as a Human Resources Manager.  As he was in every aspect of his life, Allen was a reliable “go to guy” at every stage of his professional career.

Aside from his family, there was nothing that Allen loved more than giving back to his community - and he gave back in so many ways!  Allen was entirely ready to reach the pearly gates; as he greeted visitors during the beginning of his end-of-life hospice stay, the only sadness he expressed was that his ability to serve others was coming to an end.  His record of service was extensive…he served as a deacon of Blackford Baptist Church for most of his adult life, he was very passionate about Hancock County Repair Affair, to which he devoted over 40 years, he was a school board member for over 15 years, during which time he served as chairman of the Hancock County School Board and also president of the Kentucky School Board Association from 2015-2017 while also representing the state at the national school board level.  Allen was also a devoted member of the Gideons, speaking to churches and executing the mission of the Gideons for many of his adult years.

Allen developed a passion for woodwork that was a relaxing hobby in the latter years of his professional career and became his passion in retirement.  The most compelling example of his passion came when his beloved wife Lois was in the hospital for most of the last four months of her life.  Allen and Lois discussed creating a plaque for every one of the practitioners that took care of her during that time and they intended to present those plaques together when Lois was able.  Sadly, that opportunity never presented itself, but Allen fulfilled their joint plan by delivering over 200 handmade plaques to each healthcare practitioner along Lois’s journey; the story of their plan and his execution of it was highlighted on a local Nashville news broadcast. 

Allen met Karen (McDaniel Husk) in 2020 and they married in 2021.  Both Allen and Karen had lost spouses (Lois and David (Husk)); they felt like God brought them together to heal their wounded hearts.  Allen had the great fortune of spending the last years of his life as an important part of Karen’s family, including her sons, Matt, Kevin and Adam and becoming “grandaddy” to their children, a role that brought him a great deal of joy.

While we mourn Allen’s passing on this earth, we take comfort in knowing that he is celebrating with Christ in Heaven and that he is reunited with Lois.  He was a member of Blackford Baptist Church.  Over the years, he taught several Sunday school classes, participated in numerous mission and outreach activities, and served as a deacon.  Most importantly, however, he followed Christ’s teachings in his everyday life.  His example of faith and service is his greatest legacy.                    

Allen was preceded in death by his wife, Lois, his father, Kenneth, and mother Ruth.  He is survived by his children, Allen, Jr, and Michelle, his wife Karen and her children (Matt (Andrea), Kevin and Adam Husk) and grandchildren, and his siblings, Sondra Powers (Bill), J.K. Kennedy (Beverly), Marilynn Kennedy, and Lisa Kennedy (Ray), as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends who became family.

A celebration of Allen’s life will be held at 1 pm at Blackford Baptist Church on Monday, February 19, 2024. Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 18, 2024 at Gibson & Son Funeral Home, Hawesville from 2 pm until 7 pm and on Monday, February 19 at Blackford Baptist Church from 10 am until 1 pm. Share your memories with Allen’s family at www.gibsonandsonfh.com. 

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to one of the charities that Allen was passionate about – American Cancer Society, Blackford Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, Heartford House or Gideons International.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Allen E. Kennedy, Sr., please visit our floral store.