Carlos "Kurt" Kennedy

Carlos “Kurt” Kennedy entered eternal rest on January 18, 2024.  He was born on July 15, 1946, in Hammond, Louisiana to Claude Alvin Kennedy and Violet Estelle St. Cyr Kennedy.  While growing up in nearby Springfield, his creative spirit and musical gifts manifested as he studied piano, dance, and sang in church.  He was also exposed to bluegrass and country music as his father invited friends over often for fun jam sessions.  

He went on to major in vocal music at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana from which he obtained both his Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Vocal Performance and Music Education.  During this time, he performed in many operas, musicals, choral groups, and special ensembles. 

Kurt was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and served a tour of duty in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam conflict. After his discharge from military service, he taught high school music in the Baton Rouge school system until he became a full-time Minister of Music – beginning a career he loved and treasured until his retirement in 2019. 

Since moving to Arkansas in the late 1980s, he held the Minister of Music and Arts position at Winfield United Methodist Church in Little Rock and then, for 20 years, was the Minister of Music and Arts at North Little Rock First United Methodist Church.  During this time, he actively participated in a variety of organizations that promote the arts in sacred music, most often on the board and serving in an official capacity as president or officer.    

Kurt served on the board of the Argenta Community Theatre and was musical director/conductor for many musical productions, proud to be a part of music in the North Little Rock community.  He also derived great joy from the many years he sang in the River City Men’s Chorus.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his two brothers, Claude Larry Kennedy and Ronald Dexter Kennedy of Springfield, Louisiana.  He is survived by his wife, Linda Dale Kennedy of Maumelle, daughters Tish Kennedy Davenport of Hot Springs and Terra Lee Kennedy of Maumelle, two grandchildren, Kennedy Lee Livernois and KaelinKurt Livernois of Maumelle, and his many beloved friends. A memorial service for family will be held in Louisiana at a later date.

His delightful sense of humor, infectious laugh, and ability to make everyone feel special will be deeply missed by all who were lucky enough to know him.

Memorial contributions may be made to the music ministry of NLRFUMC.

Sign the guestbook at www.smithfamilycares.com.