Donald Robert Kennedy, 64, of Corpus Christi, passed away July 11, 2025.  He was born on November 8, 1960, to Robert & Helen Kennedy in Bitburg Germany on a military base, along with his two sisters Kathy Hodgetts and Barbara Burgess welcoming him into this world with beautiful smiles.

Those same smiles were on every face that Don touched.  He was one of the strongest men, passionate, driven by his purpose to be the best husband and father this world had ever seen.

It was stated by one of his oilfield consultant good friends that Don was, without question, "The Man, The Legend… Admired by most, looked up to by the best."

Don is survived by:  his wife of 43 years Paula Kennedy; his two children, Jay Harrell and Krystal Thompson; and his two grandchildren, Oliver and Scarlet White.

Don spent three decades working in the oilfield, enduring long hours and physically demanding conditions.  His work was not just a job—it was his way of ensuring that his family had everything they needed for a life of comfort and security.  Though his hands were often calloused from labor, they were also the hands that embraced his children and grandchildren, fixed what was broken, and gave without hesitation.  His strength wasn't just in his hands—it was in his heart as he demonstrated what a life of selfless dedication looked like.   He inspired those around him to reach farther than they thought possible, to dig deeper, to believe in themselves even when they couldn't see their own potential.

Don taught his family the meaning of hard work, loyalty, and love—not through words, but by the way he lived his life every single day.  A force to be reckoned with, he lived by the mantra, "The beatings will continue until morale improves." Though it sounds tough, for him it was never about harshness—it was about grit, drive, perseverance, and the unshakable belief that through hard work and dedication, greatness could be achieved.

Don was at his happiest with a rod and reel in his hand catching a big ol' fish in the Upper Laguna Madre jamming out to his favorite genre, classic rock and perfecting bar-b-que chicken and cooking amazing feasts for all those he loved with a servant's heart.

Don was the most devoted and loyal servant to his church for 38 years, St. John Lutheran Church, where his faith grounded him and guided his actions.  He loved hard, laughed louder, and brought wild, infectious joy to every room he entered.

Don didn't just live—he led, and he loved—with every ounce of his being.

Don will deeply be missed, but his legacy lives on in all those that he inspired.

A celebration of life to honor Don will be held at St. John Lutheran Church in Robstown, Tx, and will be posted on Krystal Thompson's social media in the coming weeks.  In lieu of flowers , the family asks that donations be made to St. John Lutheran Church in his memory.