James E. Kuykendall

In Loving Memory of

James E. Kuykendall

07/24/1957 - 09/08/2025

James E. Kuykendall, aged 68, passed away peacefully with amazing grace on September 8, 2025 at his home in San Antonio, Texas.

James is survived by his wife of thirty-seven years, Elaine Manning of San Antonio, TX; granddaughter, Katarina Hollifield of San Francisco, CA; sister Maxine Kuykendall Metcalf, of Asheville, NC; nephew Randy Jones of Asheville, NC; and niece Tracy Wallen, of Inman, SC; and numerous other nieces and nephews, who all loved their Uncle Jimmy.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Marie Lollis; father, Max E. Kuykendall, and stepson, Tony Hollifield.

Born on July 24, 1957 in Greensboro, NC, Jimmy was raised in the mountains and graduated from A.C. Reynolds High School in Asheville NC with the class of 1975. He then attended NC State in Raleigh and was certified by the USA Corp of Engineers in construction management, OSHA. His career in building really took off in 1990 with the construction of the Fairview School in NC. Carrying a tool belt and a bologna sandwich, James proved to be a natural with angles, edges, and numbers at the work site. He loved it!

By the close of his career in 2019, he had overseen the construction of numerous multi-million dollar projects as a senior superintendent and project manager. His work included the IMCOM Headquarters, at Fort Sam Houston; the Lackland Air Force, Brooks City Base; and school projects and retail spaces in the San Antonio, Texas area.

But Jimmy also built a life away from the job site. Jimmy loved water: pools, streams, lakes, the ocean, rain puddles that caught the light. Many days found him lounging by his pool enjoying the play of sunlight dancing on the water. He loved loud music, working on cars, and fast friends. Weekends and evenings found Jimmy watching Nascar and enjoying a Budweiser with his best buddies. Jimmy was also a true barbeque master who loved to cook!

But most of all, Jimmy loved defending the underdog and those in need. He rescued puppies and the occasional cat, and always saved his dollar bills to give to the homeless souls cluttering the intersections of this world; behind his tough exterior beat a heart of gold.

In the building world, it is always important to finish the job on time, though it is rarely accomplished. James finished his life here on earth earlier than we may have wished, but his life was a job well done.

For those of us still waiting here, we will look for you always.

Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donation to one of the following in your local community:

The ASPCA, The Shriner's Children's Hospital, or Hospice.