James Neilson Kennedy Jr. "Jim", age 88, passed away on May 29, 2016. He was born on November 15, 1927 in Youngstown, Ohio to Neil and Marion Kennedy who predeceased him. His wife of almost fifty years, Hollis Conway Kennedy died on December 26, 2009.

He is survived by his children, J. Neilson Kennedy III "Neil" of Little Rock, Ark, A. Conway Kennedy and wife Michelle of Boston, Mass., Malinda K. Toll and husband Adam and his granddaughter Caroline S. Toll all of Baltimore, Md.

Jim was a scholarship student at Choate School in Wallingford, Connecticut where he played baseball and basketball, graduating in 1945. During the summer of 1945, the Pittsburgh Pirates offered him the opportunity of playing professional baseball in their minor league system.

In 1946, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served for eighteen months in the Adjutant General's Department. Upon discharge, he entered Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa. graduating in 1951. He was president of his Fraternity, elected to campus student government and played varsity baseball and basketball.

Upon graduation, he commenced duty with the F.B.I as a Special Agent serving for about fourteen years. His service was interrupted for a short time to enable him to become Assistant to the President of a Cleveland, Ohio Aluminum Products Company.

In 1965, he joined the Little Rock office of Merrill Lynch where he worked for a decade as a stockbroker. Jim then moved to Commercial National Bank where he ultimately became an Executive Vice President responsible for the trust and investment departments. He left Commercial to join E.F. Hutton in Little Rock to serve in their Consulting Services Unit dealing in client money management. For a brief time, he was President of First American Bank of Little Rock.

In 1990, Jim moved to Prudential Securities in Little Rock where he was a Retail Broker, Assistant Branch Manager and Branch Manager until his retirement in 2002 at the age of 75. He was an avid sports fan, following his favorite teams and players with great enthusiasm and loyalty. He was a lifetime book collector amassing an impressive library over the years. In addition, he enjoyed playing golf and was a member of the Country Club of Little Rock.

A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 6, 2016 at Christ Episcopal Church with The Reverend Scott Walters officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Neil Kennedy Recovery Clinic, 2151 Rush Blvd, Youngstown, Ohio 44507 (330) 744-1181. Arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home. www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.

Published June 2, 2016