OMAHA - Barry Kennedy, who was a fixture of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce for more than 30 years, including nearly two decades as its president, died on Saturday. He was 79.

Kennedy, a Pawnee City native, joined the chamber in 1987 and became its president in 2000, a role he held until retirement in June 2018. During his tenure, the organization "grew in membership, influence and notability," according to Kennedy's bio when he was inducted into the 2019 Nebraska Business Hall of Fame. After serving in Vietnam, Kennedy joined the United States Junior Chamber, also called the Jaycees, serving as president of the civic organization at the local, state, national and even international level.

Kennedy got involved with the Nebraska Chamber after meeting then-president Jack Schwartz in 1986 while working on a political campaign, according to his obit. His membership with the chamber began a year later.

Kennedy was also a livestock buyer, farmer, merchant and political consultant. A number of Nebraska politicians issued statements this week on Kennedy's death. Rep. Adrian Smith said Nebraska "lost a true leader," and Rep. Mike Flood called Kennedy a "a big supporter and a mentor of mine."

"Barry and I worked together on virtually every business issue imaginable," Flood said in a Thursday statement. "His support through the years helped shape public policy and make me and many others successful." Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers said Kennedy "loved the state more than about anyone I knew, and as the head of the Nebraska Chamber, he was a very effective, prudent, and strong advocate for Nebraska business and free enterprise.

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