Benny Max Kennerly

Benny Max Kennerly, age 76, passed away Saturday, May 13, 2017 after an extended period of declining health.

A memorial service will be 3 PM Wednesday at Central United Methodist Church, 30 Union St.N., Concord, NC. The Reverend Andy Langford will officiate. A reception in the Coltrane Memorial Fellowship Hall will follow the service.

Benny was born in Davidson, NC on November 6, 1940. He was the son of Mr. Zeb Vance Kennerly and Mrs. Lillian Zigler Kennerly. The family moved to Concord during his early childhood. He attended Concord City Schools and was a 1959 graduate of Concord High School where he had an outstanding athletic career. He lettered in three sports for four years and was co-captain of the football team his senior year and was named to the All -Conference Team. He was inducted into the Cabarrus County Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.

He continued his education at Lenoir Rhyne College receiving an AB in 1963. During his years at Lenoir Rhyne his athletic abilities excelled. His talents carried him to eight letters, four in both football and four in baseball. In football, he played in three NAIA National Championship games, winning the championship game in 1962. He was the NAIA Outstanding Lineman after the 1962 National Championship game. He was also named to the All-State Team in 1962 and All-American HM that year. He was inducted into the Lenoir Rhyne College Sports Hall of Fame in 1988.

In 1968 he became a Sales Representative for Josten’s Inc., where he retired after a twenty-nine year career. Three times he was named Josten’s “Salesman of the Year” in the Southeast Region. In 1988 he was inducted into the prestigious Admirals Club which recognizes Sales Agents who have reached the milestone sales plateau.

He was married to his teen age sweetheart, Mrs. Mary Ann Johnson Kennerly for fifty one years. They lived in Columbia, SC for four years before returning to Concord for the remaining years. He was a devoted member of Central United Methodist Church he served on a number of church committees and spent considerable time on church related activities and projects.

He will be remembered most fondly by his family and friends for his humor, kindness, and generosity.

Benny is survived by his wife and two children, Chad Kennerly of Concord and Annsley Kennerly Ulrich and husband Geoff Ulrich of Mooresville, NC and five grandchildren, Helen and Rudd Ulrich; and Dax, Grey and Bryce Kennerly, all of Mooresville. Also, two brothers, Jerry Kennerly and wife Charlotte of Pawley’s Island, SC, and Gene Kennerly and wife Susan of Greensboro, NC as well as nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Patricia Kennerly Warlick and husband Joe Warlick of Tampa, FL.

The Kennerly family would request that memorials be sent to Central United Methodist Church Building Fund.