John Kenerleber peacefully passed away at his home, April 30, 2026, surrounded by his family after a long illness.

John was born in Wakefield, Rhode Island on March 7th, 1946. Due to his father's job, he spent much of his childhood moving from city to city every few years. He finally landed in Atlanta, GA and played football for Northside High School. John earned a scholarship to play football at Furman University. He was named SoCon Defensive Player of the Year during his junior season with the Paladins. He was also a member of the Furman Golf team. He graduated with a degree in Biology and a minor in Chemistry and proudly served in the Marine Corps Reserve from 1967 to 1973.

Following graduation, John began his career with The Calgon Corporation in Atlanta, spending eight years selling and marketing chemicals throughout the Southeast. He later spent 29 years with National Linen Service, serving as Vice President of National Accounts and building relationships across the hospitality industry throughout the United States. He completed his career with JWE Designs, a New York-based company specializing in tailored hospitality apparel.

While John was deeply proud of his professional success and accomplishments, nothing mattered more to him than family. In 1983, he married the love of his life, Denise, and together they built a beautiful life in Roswell, Georgia over the next four decades. He was a devoted husband and a proud father to his son, JJ and his stepson, Chad.

To know John was to know energy, laughter, music, loyalty, and unconditional love. He had a personality that filled every room he walked into and a presence that people never forgot. People knew him by the many nicknames he carried throughout his life, including Johnny K, Pigmy, Coach K, The Total Package, or simply Dad. No matter what name people called him, one thing always remained the same: he made everyone around him feel seen, welcomed, and valued.

He was outgoing, constantly joking and impossible to forget. He loved Motown music, especially Al Green, Marvin Gaye and The Temptations. The second he heard any of his favorite songs, John was convinced he was one step away from becoming an honorary backup dancer for one of his favorite groups. Although this was something he always expressed as a lifelong dream, it was a rarity for anyone to witness these dance moves. John always insisted it was because most places didn't carry enough fire insurance and would need misters nearby to cool down his shoes once he started dancing.

John also took tremendous pride in his yard and landscaping, something that became legendary among family and friends. He was so proud of his lawn that first-time visitors were often asked to take off their shoes and walk barefoot through the grass. With a smile on his face, he would proudly tell them, "When you leave here, you can tell people you walked barefoot on Johnny K's lawn."

He was the kind of man who never missed any moment that mattered, no matter how big or small. Football games, sports practices, family dinners, celebrations, milestones and hard moments as well. He anchored his family with strength, humor, generosity, and unwavering love. Whether returning home from work trips with gifts for loved ones or making an entire room laugh within minutes, John had a rare ability to make life feel bigger, lighter, and more alive.

John's passing leaves an immeasurable void in the hearts of those who loved him, but his spirit lives on in the countless stories, laughs, songs, dances, and memories he created throughout his life. The outpouring of love from friends, family, colleagues, and everyone fortunate enough to know him has been a testament to the extraordinary impact he made on the people around him.

He is predeceased by his father, Alfred John Kenerleber, and his mother, Dorothy Strawn. He is survived by his wife, Denise Kenerleber; his son, JJ Kenerleber; his stepson, Chad Hasty; his sister, Sharon Kenerleber Henderson; and many beloved extended family members and lifelong friends.

John was truly one of a kind, will be deeply missed, endlessly celebrated, and forever remembered for who he truly was… a legend.


The celebration for John's life will be held Saturday, May 30th at Northside Chapel at 12050 Crabapple Road, Roswell, GA 30075.

The visitation will begin at 11:00am with the main service beginning at 12:30pm. Refreshments will be provided.

Please visit www.northsidechapel.com to share memories, upload photos, and leave condolences for the family.