Roland Earnest Kennedy Jr.

Born in Lufkin, Texas, on May 17, 1945, Roland was the son of Roland Earnest Kennedy, Sr. and Ruth Mae Hendry. He was the fifth of six children. The Kennedy family attended Faith Memorial Baptist Church, where they were active members throughout the children's upbringing.

Roland graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in Houston and went on to earn his bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Houston. Throughout his life, and especially during retirement, Roland enjoyed golfing, cheering on his hometown sports teams, and cruising. His love of cruising was evident in the 22 cruises he shared with his wife, Debbie, along with friends and family.

Roland devoted more than 35 years of service to LyondellBasell and its predecessor companies, including Sinclair, Atlantic Richfield Company, and Lyondell. One of his greatest adventures was relocating to Alaska for three years to work on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. While on loan to Alyeska as a pipeline auditor, he traveled up and down the pipeline, staying at various camps along the way. Debbie and their daughters, Angie and Erin, joined him in Alaska, where the family settled in Fairbanks for more than a year before Debbie and the girls returned to Houston.

Roland retired from the refinery in 2000, leaving behind a legacy of professionalism, kindness, and respect. His former colleagues fondly remember him as a kind and respectful boss.

Never one to remain idle, Roland pursued a new career shortly after retirement. He studied for his certification, passed the state examination, and established his own home inspection company, Statewide Quality Home Inspections, a venture he thoroughly enjoyed.

Roland never met a stranger and genuinely loved meeting new people. His warm and friendly nature made it easy for him to strike up a conversation wherever he went. Travels throughout Europe and across the United States were among the many highlights of his retirement years.

Above all, Roland was devoted to his family. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who could always be counted on by those he loved. Roland was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Judy Prichard; and his brother, Johnsa Kennedy.

He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Deborah Morris Kennedy; his daughters, Angela Ruhnke and her husband, James, and Erin Watts and her husband, Matthew; his grandchildren, Shelby Huffman and her husband, Tiaan Erasmus, Ryan Murphy, Bryce Cuba, and Carleigh Cuba; and his great-granddaughter, Aubree Cuba; and his siblings, Royce Kennedy and his wife Shelia, Joyce Cohen, Becky Johnson and her husband, Robert; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life graveside service will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Forest Park East Funeral Home in Webster, Texas. A reception will follow at 6715 Kevincrest, Pearland, Texas 77584.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research: https://michaeljfox.org