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Don Kennedy Obituary
"He raised an entire generation of Atlantans," said Aron Siegel, who appeared on the show twice as a child and posted "Popeye Club" specials on YouTube a few years ago that he digitized from a 1987 VHS tape he found at a Blockbuster in the 1990s.
Kennedy also partnered with two other men to purchased an FM radio station in 1960, WKLS-FM at 96.1 and played easy-listening music. It would eventually become the legendary 96rock station after he sold it in 1970.
He also started Georgia's first statewide radio news network and for a time owned an independent UHF TV station WATL/Channel 36.
He spent 25 years hosting a syndicated radio show "Big Band Jump" out of his Buckhead studio until 2013 and did voices for early Adult Swim shows like "Space Ghost Coast to Coast" and "Aqua Teen Hunger Force."
Read more about Don Kennedy on ajc.com.
Photo: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Memories and Condolences
for Don Kennedy
55 Entries
Tim Cavender
March 7, 2025
Don was a great person who entertained children for many years on Atlanta television. Thanks for bringing smiles and laughter to lots of children in metro Atlanta!
Wade Ervin
October 12, 2024
He was a huge part of my childhood I never got to go on the Popeye show but me and my brothers watched it everyday while eating dinner! Rest in peace Officer Don
Wade Ervin
QUENTIN ABBOTT
October 6, 2024
we were next door neighbors on Cannon Farm Hill Road, Don seemed so happy back in 1957
A GA fan
July 28, 2023
It's sad that children of today are missing out on the wholesome entertainment that Officer Don provided. He was and is a treasure to those who remember him today. Rest peacefully, Officer Don.
E. Young
July 21, 2023
He bought so many smiles and taught me so much. Prayers and positive thoughts for his family.
Cindy Massell
July 16, 2023
I remember being on the Officer Don show and counting down for a cartoon to start. Great memories of such a great man, who made so many of us happy.
William Anderson
July 13, 2023
Such a big part of my childhood in the 1960's, RIP Officer Don.
Charles Shapiro
July 9, 2023
Loved Officer Don and the Popeye Club. Thanks!
Cynthia Jones
July 8, 2023
RIP Dear Man. Such a big part of my childhood. Watched you on TV Monday-Friday. And saw you at Fun Town on Saturday many times. Always laughing and smiling. Would always give me an autographed photo and a fun remark.
Susan Brown
July 4, 2023
Thank you Sir! I´m glad you were here. Condolences to your daughter.
Harry jones
July 4, 2023
What a wonderful legacy he left. We watched the show everyday when growing up. A positive influence for all. Thank you Officer Don
Connie Stephens
July 3, 2023
Officer Don was a staple in my childhood and I was lucky enough to be in the show twice. Before that we lived across the street from Johnny Beckman and Officer Don visited him often and all the neighborhood kids would flock over there. He always had leftover goody bags from the show, even the ooey-gooey bags! Later when he hosted "Big Band Jump" my dad and I would listen together whenever we could. He even played a recording of the band my dad played in in the 40s! Later I reached out to Mr Kennedy via email to see if maybe he had the to cording. He didn´t but he was very kind and gracious. Thanks for everything Officer Don! You were an important part of my childhood.
Alan and Linda Goodman
July 3, 2023
Dear Ann and family: All our Love and Appreciation for Don´s and your friendship. We are holding you in our hearts.
David and Debbie
July 3, 2023
RIP Officer Don. You will be missed and never forgotten . I know heaven welcomed you with open arms. Thank you for all you did the short time you were with us.
Gwen W.
July 2, 2023
What a gift Officer Don was in my life and in the lives of so many others. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. RIP
Wade Ervin
July 2, 2023
Officer Don was a huge part of my childhood every day at dinner we gathered around the tv to watch the Popeye club so many memories he left a huge legacy for all of Atlanta and will be missed but never forgotten! Rest in peace old friend and becareful and dont stick your hand in the ooey gooey bag!
Janet Reeves
July 2, 2023
We LOVED Officer Don. Never missed a show. Deep condolences to his family. RIP our childhood beloved friend.
Sheila McDaniel Dunning
July 2, 2023
As a child, I watched The Popeye Club everyday. Officer Don made a guest appearance at my elementary school and packed the place! What a wonderful life. Thank you Officer Don Kennedy for loving and entertaining Atlanta´s children. Condolences to his family. May he rest in eternal peace.
Audrey Davis
July 2, 2023
Condolences to Officer Don´s family. I watched his show, "Officer Don and the Popeye Club" growing up in Atlanta. I would rush home to see it after school. I met him once when he came to a school in my community. Great fond memories!! Thank you Officer Don!
Winston Elston
July 2, 2023
I grew up with The Popeye Club, and remember at least three of my birthday parties involved packing the paty into the Studebaker for a ride to White Columns. On more than one occasion my Dad and I ran into Officer Don at Hastings Nursery on Lindbergh, and I quickly learned he was really cool even out of character. I remember seeing him at Zesto Snack Shop on Piedmont several times, and ran into him at Home Depot a few times. In his later years he told me that he was no longer able to drive or read easily because of a "hit" ("You mean a stroke?" I asked, and he affirmed). For some time he took daily constitutional walks around the Peachtree Hills neighborhood, and was usually walking by my house along about my lunch hour This meant walking over a mile and a half daily including the daunting hill from the Peachtree Hills park past the apartments before walking north up Virginia Place. He was always pleasant, friendly, and his command of Atlanta history had to rank with the very best. I have missed seeing him for over a year, and a friend informed me of his passing.
He was a great man, a great influence in our community, and a heck of a nice guy.
My deepest heartfelt condolences to his family.
Deborah Bowen Harple
July 1, 2023
So sorry to have just heard this sad news on WSB news tonight. We loved Officer Don and the Popeye Club! My Sibs and I were on one of the shows..so much fun. Prayers for Mr Don Kennedy´s family and friends. He brought lots of joy to many children.
Pam
July 1, 2023
Got the chance to go on the "Popeye Club" several times. I played balls in can and got a Beanie Copter as a consolation prize! RIP Officer Don. You made a lot of kids happy!!
Jennifer Nolan
July 1, 2023
I watched Officer Don religiously when I was 3, 4 & 5. One night, he showed up at our house for dinner. I WAS ON TOP OF THE WORLD!
Rest easy, Officer Don - one of my first heroes!
E. Russell Williamson
July 1, 2023
Thank you Officer Don ! You were the best . Being on the Popeye club was so much fun.
E. Russell Williamson (Rusty)
Robbie Edwards Millner
July 1, 2023
What a long and fulfilling life! You made my life special each and every day of my childhood. I played Ooeey Gooey when I was on the show and got to sit with you on the clubhouse bench. Atlanta history would be sorely empty without your contributions to childrens entertainment and the contributions you made to local broadcasting! Ever thankful for your shaping of my life!
Coy Brumelow
July 1, 2023
Forever a Popeye Clubber . GBNF, RIP OFFICER DON KENNEDY.
Robert Sproul
July 1, 2023
Meeting Don and Ann athe waffle house, the voice and all the great stories. Helping Don move all those damn albums probably a thousand or more. A true gentlemen. Happy trails.
June Anderson
July 1, 2023
I´m so sorry to hear that "Officer Don" is gone. He brought me so much happiness in the 60s when I would get off the school bus, get a snack, and park in front of the tv. I also saw him in person when he came to my hometown for a show. My husband got to be on the tv show and was chosen to play musical chairs. We talk about this from time to time and tell friends. What a joy he was! I have prayed for peace for his loved ones. June Anderson
Milford Autrey
July 1, 2023
Thank you for all those childhood days in front of the TV.......5,4,3,2,1
Matk Sentelle
July 1, 2023
Watched Don everyday as a child on the Popeye Club. I know he was a wonderful guy. Rest in peace.
Ginger Hall
July 1, 2023
Thank you, Officer Don! I was never alone when I could watch you after school.
Al Rothstein
July 1, 2023
Wonderful memories of Officer Don and the broadcasting legacy he created.
Rita Sittig
July 1, 2023
I have so many amazing memories of Officer Don and friends from my childhood. I went in his show many times! Loved the goody/gooey bag game. I´m 75 but remember the love he showed to all the kids!
RIP Officer Don
A life well lived
Darryl Harvey
July 1, 2023
I remember watching the Popeye Club during summer days in the afternoon as a kid living in the now defunct Seaboard Avenue Apartments. Later that summer I got a chance to be on the show and unfortunately my hand was in the "Ooey-Gooey bag he actually gave me a nice consolation prize. A Duncan Yo-yo !!! Officer Don was truly a wonderful man that absolutely loved kids. And they loved him back with the same energy. On into my adult life I have always learned to care for others and be kind . May he Rest In Peace because this kid grew up to be a respectful and productive man . My thoughts and prayers are with his family .
ANTHONY SIZEMORE
July 1, 2023
A big part my childhood as he was countless others.
Thank you Officer Don.
You made our lives better.
Tom Bacon
July 1, 2023
I grew up watching Officer Don and I am sorry for your loss. He was a big part of my childhood. From Mineral Bluff, Ga.
Philip Weltner
July 1, 2023
I was on the Popeye Club once and vividly remember all the fun we had watching Officer D every afternoon. He was one of a kind, and will be remembered by thousands for a long time.
Mark Serra
July 1, 2023
I always enjoyed going to his studio and listening to him record Big Band Jump. He had such a great voice and some great jokes. He will be missed.
Evy Clark
July 1, 2023
Praying for comfort and peace. Warm memories.
Pam Alford
July 1, 2023
Like many other Atlanta "Boomers", I grew up watching "Officer Don" and the Popeye Club, and was fortunate enough to be on his show for my 10th birthday. It does not seem like it has been that long ago (62 years), but it has.
RIP "Officer Don". You helped to make Atlanta television what it is today.
Donna Vaughn
July 1, 2023
Thank you for the wonderful memories!!!
Daniel Kingloff
July 1, 2023
Becky: Sorry to hear about your father. Even I had been a guest on his show.
Eddie Jarrard
July 1, 2023
Will never forget the joy The Popeye Club brought me as an elementary school kid. Don Kennedy was a part of so many live. Rest Easy Officer Don
E Jarrard/ Dunedin, Fl
Jerry Cannon
July 1, 2023
Thank You Sir for the wonderful childhood memories .. Prayers of Peace & Comfort for your family and Friends. God Speed Officer Don..
Susan Vance
July 1, 2023
Thank you for so many wonderful childhood memories. R.I.P. Officer Don.
Bill Lee
July 1, 2023
"Officer Don" was a big part of my life growing up. Watched his show every weekday, unless I was involved in a sports activity. Was fortunate to work with him later at Channel 36, and it was like working with one of your childhood heroes. He was a wacky, funny and kind guy, who always had a kinetic energy in almost everything he did. He will be sorely missed by all of us Popeye Club fans....
Laura Burgess
July 1, 2023
Thank you Officer Don for the happy memories from my childhood that your talent provided. Thoughts and prayers for the family. RIP sir.
Sandra Allen Walket
July 1, 2023
I had the pleasure of working for Don Kennedy at his statewide radio network. A man of vision, he was wise to include an African American to the network. I was the voice of the Southern Black Network and it was an honor to be part of his team.
It was a learning environment and a family environment. I recall him often speaking of you Rebecca. His love for you was so evident.
Thank you for sharing him with the community. May you find peace and happiness in your memories. He will always be with you!
Sandra Allen Walker
Rick Whitney
July 1, 2023
The thrill of being on the show as a child.
Balls and Cans, Ooey-Gooey, 5-4-3-2-1! Orville the Green Dragon. The Glass Cage.
The necessity of being in front of the television at 5 pm daily. Only native Atlanta kids will appreciate what Officer Don did for a whole generation. Thank you, Don Kennedy. You did good. Godspeed, good sir. Requiescat in pace.
Kathy Gower
July 1, 2023
So sorry to hear of his passing. Officer Don brought laughter into our homes. My brother both enjoyed watching his show. Thank you for all the memories. I pray for peace and comfort for the family as you go through this time. Love and prayers
Ed White
June 30, 2023
I used to watch Officer Don and the Popeye Club every day back in the 60s. Thanks for giving us all wonderful memories in our childhood. Rest in Peace Mr. Kennedy.
Roselyn Clay
June 30, 2023
Such an amazing man and had such a way with the kids, in and off the show...a big loss for Atlanta and us "kids"
Sheryl Mitchell
June 30, 2023
You brought a lot of joy and happiness to many children, me being one of them. Thanks for the memories
William R Orr
June 30, 2023
When I was a kid, I was on the Popeye club show as a birthday kid. Dad took a tv to work, mother was in the parents booth. Officer Don asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I said I wanted to be a garbage man. Officer Don looked at me in amazement. Mother fainted in the booth, Dad's coworkers cracked up laughing. I never lived that down even when I grew up, lol.
James Henderson
June 30, 2023
The Popeye Club and Officer Don were a big of my childhood, and of many Atlantans. We will always remember Don Kennedy fondly.
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