Barry Lynn Kennedy

He learned how to fish, hunt and care for the many animals they raised on the farm and when old enough he learned farming techniques. He cherished that life style the rest of his life.

In 1960 he graduated from the 8th grade in Salem in the top 10 of his class and went into the transfer portal. First to Falls City for 2 years and then to Pawnee City where he graduated high school in 1964 making the top half of his class possible.

While in Falls City and after his father passed away, he had the great fortune to meet and work part time for Dr. Tom Burton, DVM. Tom and Mary became lifelong advisors and mentors and made Barry feel like he was part of their family.

Barry found a new beginning in high school in Pawnee City where he was All City in basketball, football and track. He also made many friends and later on made Pawnee City his hometown. Fastpitch softball became a passion, and he played until he was 56 years old to include several over 40 and over 50 national tournaments.

He did give college a try after high school, but there were 2 things he simply could not pass. A test, and a keg. After a couple years, this led to him answering a request from Uncle Sam to be all he could be in the U.S Army. After a couple bases stateside, he spent a few months in Germany and then just over a year in Vietnam. He was in country through the TET Offensive of 1968 becoming a squad leader on a Twin 40 automatic weapon. Probably the first time he was able to demonstrate some leadership ability. He was very proud of his service to country and later became a life member of the VFW, American Legion and DAV.

Not long after returning from Vietnam he was sitting in the Saddle Rock Tavern in Table Rock with a friend when a petite little bohemian girl walked by,,,, “and he was SMITTEN”. About a year later, she agreed to marry him and a lifetime of love, adventure, family and memories started to unfold. She put up with him for over 56 years,,,, which was way above the over/under on wedding day. Within a few years, 2 of the greatest miracles of their life came along. First Jason and then Christy. By choice, their life became consumed by school activities and watching Jake and Christy grow to the responsible adults they have become. The PROUD meter totally went off the charts.

And then, they found their life partners and along came 5 absolutely perfect grandsons. Academics, athletics, fine arts, watching them pursue their goals and ambitions raised that PROUD meter to all-time highs. Whenever you ask Barry “how he was doing”, his immediate response was always “just living a dream”. He just never imagined that life could be so great to have such a wonderful family to share vacations, gatherings, holidays and simply life’s experiences with.

In the early 1970’s while living in Syracuse, a good friend (thank you Jerry Siefken) literally tricked Barry into joining the Jaycees. He took the creed to heart, and over the next 12 years served as President of the Syracuse Jaycees, the Nebraska Jaycees, the U.S. Jaycees, and Jaycees International (JCI). This progression gave Barry and Diane the opportunity to make lifelong friends throughout the world, traveling to all 50 states and 66 foreign countries.

If you are reading this, you might be wondering, did he ever work? He actually had an off the farm job of some kind from the age of 13 until 72. He was a livestock buyer, a farmer, a merchant, a consultant on political campaigns and finally an Association Executive.

While working on a political campaign in 1986, he had the great fortune to meet Jack Swartz who was the President of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Barry found his dream career the beginning of 1987 and Jack became an excellent advisor, mentor and most importantly, a friend.

Most importantly, Barry got past that test and keg obstacle, graduated from the U.S. Chamber’s Institute of Organizational Management and then passed a challenging test by the American Society of Association Executives to become a Certified Association Executive (CAE). He also completed numerous seminars and continuing education classes to enhance his management skills. In time he served as Chairman of the Council of State Chambers and on the Board of the Council of State Manufacturing Associations.

When Jack retired in 1999, Barry was fortunate to be named President of the State Chamber. He had been told as a kid in school that anyone could grow up to be President. Because of this, he had already titled his autobiography “From Rock Creek to the Potomac”. It now had to be changed to “From Rock Creek to Salt Creek.

This position gave him the opportunity to represent the business community in various capacities. Work with Governors, state and federal officials on issues that he truly supported and cared about, and represent Nebraska on numerous trade missions to foreign lands. After over 31 years at the State Chamber, it was his great honor to be inducted into the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame.

Barry was preceded in death by his parents and all 3 siblings, Diane, Richard and Lana.