James G. Kennedy Sr. died Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2011, at Mississippi Baptist Medical Center in Jackson. He was 85.

Born in Carlsbad, N.M., he was a longtime resident of Vicksburg and had been a resident of Madison, Miss., for the past five years.

Mr. Kennedy was the son of the late James Richard Kennedy and Beulah Rodrigues Kennedy Hennington. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Army. Mr. Kennedy was a graduate of Mississippi College and was a civil engineer with the USACE Waterways Experiment Station, retiring in 1985 with 37 years of service. He was a member of the American Legion, Vicksburg Riding Club, Red Carpet Riding Club and Bowmar Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Katherine Muirhead Kennedy of Madison; a daughter, Debbie Kennedy McMullen (Bill) of Vicksburg; a son, James G. Kennedy Jr. (Dinah) of Madison; two grandsons, Chuck O’Quinn of Learned and Kyle Smith of Atlanta; and four great-grandchildren, Marissa, Cody, Hayden and Matthew O’Quinn.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Riles Funeral Home with interment at Greenlawn Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will be tonight from 5 to 7 and from 1 p.m. Friday until the service.

Pallbearers will be Jerry Rodrigues, Bart Rodrigues, Ronnie Rodrigues, Henry Wayne Muirhead, Wayne Muirhead and Paul Ratliff.

Honorary pallbearers will be Carl Ratliff, Brown Nevels, Morris Ratliff, V.O. Stevens, Neil Brooks, James Abney, Joe Scott and Ed Lawler.

Memorials may be made to favorite charities.