John G. Kennard, 80, of Portsmouth, Ohio passed away Friday morning, March 27, 2015 at Ohio Health Rehabilitation Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He was born on May 16, 1934 in Cleveland to the late S. Francis and Pauline (Groves) Kennard.

Mr. Kennard attended Linsly Military Grade School and graduated from Barnesville High School. He also attended Miami University, three years of night school in Canton to be an Electrical Engineer, Graduate School of Business at The University of Michigan (AEP Management Course), and Business Courses at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, and State University (AEP Management Course).

John was an Army Veteran where he was honorably discharged as a Sergeant. He started his career with AEP as a Meter Helper and retired as a Manager with 385 employees under his supervision. He managed employees for Ohio Power, Kentucky Power, Columbus Power and Southern Power. He held positions in the Meter Department, Commercial/Industrial Department, Marketing and Customer Services Department, Economic Development Director for Ohio Power Co. and Area/District/ Division Management. He was also on the president of AEP's staff. He retired on July 1, 2000 after 43 years with AEP. He owned a third share in a company building WACO Aircraft for 5 years and closed JG Kennard LLC (Economic Development Consultant) after 5 years.

He enjoyed golfing and flying his airplane where he received his pilot's license in 1953. He was a member of the Portsmouth Masonic Lodge F&AM, Portsmouth Rotary Club, Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce, Board Member of Portsmouth Airport, Portsmouth American Legion

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife - Phyllis J. (Kozick) Kennard; children - Jeffrey and Kimberly Kennard; brother - Robert A. Kennard; and sister - Sally Carter.

John is survived by his sons - J. Bryan Kennard of Los Angeles and James Bryan Reid of Columbus; daughters - Kelly (Darren) Mynes of Hopewell, Ohio and Heather (Don) Estis of Columbus, and grandchildren - Dane Estis, Delaney Mynes, and Wyatt Mynes.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 from 6 - 9 PM at Campbell-Plumly-Milburn Funeral Home, 319 North Chestnut Street, Barnesville, Ohio where services will be held on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 2 PM. Burial will follow at 2:45 PM at Northern Cemetery in Barnesville, Ohio. Masonic Lodge service will be held on Tuesday. Military service will be conducted on Wednesday at 3 PM at Northern Cemetery by Belmont County Veterans Association.