John B. Kennard Jr.

John B. Kennard, Jr., age 79 passed away peacefully on Friday afternoon, June 26, 2026 at Autumn Care of Cornelius, in North Carolina. He was a longtime resident of Brown County, Indiana.

Johnny was born February 18, 1947, in Meridian, Mississippi to his parents, the late John and Lois Moon (Critz) Kennard, Sr. He was a 1966 graduate of Glenn Rock High School in New Jersey and later earned his bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State University.

Johnny retired in 2024 from the Brown County Health Department, after more than 20 years of dedicated service as an Environmental Specialist. For those of us that knew Johnny well, it was obvious by his incessant dedication to following the rules that this was the perfect job for him. He also formerly served as Commissioner for Brown County.

Subsequently, some of you might be surprised to know that Johnny was an elite college volleyball referee. He greatly enjoyed sitting around telling stories of his escapes traveling around the country with his merry band of misfit and equally eccentric fellow refs.

Johnny found joy in many simple pleasures. He loved both playing volleyball and following volleyball at all levels of play. He also enjoyed riding his motorcycle, attending auctions, tinkering in the garage (while not actually getting anything 100% finished), sharing breakfast with his “non volleyball, but equally eccentric friends” at Brownie’s Restaurant in Brown County and most of all, spending time on the porch with Susie while drinking freeze dried Folgers coffee… even though his son lovingly stocked his cupboard with the gourmet expensive stuff.

Johnny will be remembered for his quiet dedication, kind heart, and the friendships he built throughout his life. His love for his family, his community, and the everyday moments he cherished will leave a lasting legacy in the lives of all who knew him.

Johnny will be remembered by his wife and partner in crime of many years, Susie Kennard, whom he married on November 6, 2010. He will also be missed by his children, JD (Caroline) and Paul (Katie), both of Huntersville, North Carolina; and step-children, Tiffany of Morgantown, Katie (Daniel) of Columbus; grandchildren, Sophia, Vivianne, Bryson, Austin, Abel, Addisyn and Aubree; brother, Thomas (Beth) Kennard of Tupelo, Mississippi, mother-in-law, Phyllis M. Riskey of Brown County; sisters-in-law, Pamela Ann Johnson of South Bend and Sandra Jean (Jon) Beasley of Martinsville; and brother-in-law, David (Kathy) Wells of Howell, Michigan.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Sarah Jane Kennard.

In keeping with his wishes, he will be cremated with a Celebration of Life Gathering from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, August 22nd at Cottonwood Christian Church: 2523 W. Cottonwood Road in Brown County.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Meredith Funeral Home in Morgantown.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of John to Mother’s Cupboard: PO Box 825 Nashville, IN 47448 or online at: https://www.motherscupboardnashvillein.com/donate or to Wounded Warrior Project PO Box 758516 Topeka, KS 66675.

Condolences may be sent to the family at meredithfuneral.com.

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