Jack Kennedy, longtime industry player, dies

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 1/4/2005 1:23:00 PM

DALLAS – Jack Kennedy, whose career in the bedding business spanned three decades, passed away Monday at the age of 53 after fighting an illness that first struck his nervous system two years ago.

In 1984, Kennedy founded his own company – Kentex – as a sales organization selling a variety of home textiles, fashion and novelty items for manufacturers and importers, including Springs Ind., Cannon Mills, Pillowtex and Fisher Price. By 1987, he built up the company’s sales volume to $9 million, selling to a customer base that included Wal-Mart, JCPenney, Kmart, Target and Pier 1.

Also during this time, Kennedy established a five-store children’s clothing chain called Children’s Fashion Outlet in Dallas . That operation’s second year posted retail sales of $1 million.

In 1990, Kennedy sold his children’s clothing store chain to concentrate again on his home textiles business. Two years later, he established a manufacturing operation to produce a line of college logo pillows as well as do contract work.

Today, the company manufacturers and supplies sports-themed bedding, featuring licensed logos of the NFL, MLB and college teams.

Kennedy leaves behind his wife, Terri, and their two daughters.

A viewing is scheduled for Wednesday at Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home, 7405 W. Northwest Highway , Dallas . The funeral will take place at 10:30 a.m. CST Thursday at Highland Park United Methodist Church , 3300 Mockingbird Lane , Dallas .