James Crockett Kennedy, 79, of Aldie, Virginia went to be with his Lord and passed away at his home on July 15th sunrise morning surrounded by his loving family.

James was born July 22, 1940 to Corby and Edith Kennedy in Jolo, West Virginia.  He was the eldest of 6 children.

After high school, James attended trade school and mastered several trades while choosing welding as his profession. He started his own company, Kennedy Welding & Construction, Inc that originated in Arlington, VA. His work started on a variety of individual projects. He then spent 26 years with William A. Hazel, Inc. repairing site development infrastructure equipment. He then obtained and continued to maintain his certification for specialization in Natural Gas Pipeline Welding.  He was offered to work in Alaska for the Alaskan pipeline project but declined to stay close to his family.  James repaired heavy operating construction equipment and repaired Natural Gas pipelines in large commercial and residential buildings. James was a proud member of Local 602 union for over 55 years.

A loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather, James worked hard to support his family in Arlington, VA.  In 1971, he moved his family to a farm in Loudoun County where he also enjoyed raising Black Angus/Brahman cattle.

James was an avid outdoorsman and had the opportunity to travel to various parts of the country to hunt big game.  He enjoyed his hobbies of hunting, classic cars, and various building projects as well as designing and building beautiful wood stoves, lastly overseeing and assisting work on a building for his Lord, the pavilion at Little River Baptist church.

A classic Irish storyteller and visionary, James had a big heart and was known to always help his neighbors and friends. He maintained excellent skills in multiple arenas and could build and or fix most anything. Whenever asked for help he would do everything in his power to make it happen, whether plowing out a friend's driveway, replacing a horse trailer floor, repairing equipment or lending a hand, he was always there. There were times when a situation required a specialized tool not yet available.  If he needed a tool that was not available to complete the repair, he would design and make it.

James was preceded in death by his father and mother, Corby & Edith Kennedy, his sister Catherine Kennedy (Finley) (Keen), and his grandson Tyler Kennedy Lawrence.

James is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Aleta; his two daughters Anita Kennedy Lawrence (husband Timothy) of Ashburn, VA; Jamie Kennedy Brown (husband Robert) of Inwood, West Virginia; granddaughter Tessa Kennedy Lawrence of Charlottesville, VA; brother Carl J. Kennedy (wife Martha) of Trinity, NC; sisters Hazel Kennedy Cline (husband Odis) of Trinity, NC; Diana Kennedy Choi (husband Jae) of Michigan; Shirley Kennedy Garren of Trinity, NC and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A true and rare Renaissance man for the ages, may his love legacy live on through us.

A service will be held on Friday, July 24, 2020 at 11:00 am at Cornerstone Chapel. 650 Battlefield Parkway, S.E., Leesburg, VA  20175.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2020 at 12:00 at Laurel Hill Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 10127 Plank Road, Spotsylvania, VA  22553.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to:

Little River Baptist Church

PO BOX 223

40385 Braddock Road

Aldie, VA  20105

Or

Cornerstone Chapel

650 Battlefield Parkway, S.E.

Leesburg, VA  20175