Loving, charismatic, helpful, nature-loving, handsome
Kenny had three doting older sisters, Barb, Toni, and Wendy. He knew how to tease them, but being a military family, their frequent moves meant they were each other’s only friends, so they played well together, too. When Kenny lost Toni to ALS, it devastated him. His older sister Barbara had him wrapped around her finger when he was little, while Wendy and Kenny were an adventurous pair. When living in Ohio, they explored the nearby trails and slid in ditches, not caring if their shorts ripped. Kenny was there for Wendy as they got older. When she struggled in her marriage, he’d support her, fixing things around the house and babysitting his nieces. He even taught them how to use makeup, a skill he’d picked up from his sisters.
His talents didn’t end at makeup artistry. He completed his GED in the Army, earned his CDL, and attended Davis Applied Technology College to be a machinist. He was resourceful, knowing how to fix or jerry-rig anything, and learned from his dad how to do his own car maintenance. Kenny was also interested in computers. Barbara teased that Kenny knew enough to be dangerous, but the worst he did was help with his parents’ computer.
Ever the sweetheart, as a boy, Kenny had a soft spot for even the most slobbery dogs. While coming home from school in Ohio, Kenny went to pet one chained outside. It attacked him, but his experience never affected his fondness. Barbara still cherishes a photo of him happily eating BBQ surrounded by dogs waiting for handouts, which he gave readily. Eventually, Kenny got dogs of his own. He adored his last, Buddy, and they often fell asleep snuggled together.
Kenny loved his parents dearly. They were fixtures throughout his life. He grew up being coached in Little League by his dad, Bill, and when he played baseball, his father sang endless praises about his pitching. No one could hit his fast balls, and at eleven, he pitched about 90 miles per hour. He wanted to play professionally, and the C leagues scouted him. Unfortunately, Kenny’s substance use disorder had already taken hold, and he never got the chance to try.
Kenny traveled with his parents to Washington State many times to visit his uncle and cousins. While there, he also enjoyed the splendor of the mountains. He adored his parents, and when he and Bill fished or hunted, they were best buddies. Kenny was committed to helping his parents, too. He never shied from manual labor. Tasks like yard work and gardening were time well-spent, and he and his son Jaxon spent countless weekends working on his parents’ place in the mountains.
Besides his parents, Kenny’s favorite person was Jaxon. A devoted father, he did anything to spend time with his son. They played video games and rode bicycles, or camped, fished, and four-wheeled at Sour Dough, where his parents had purchased some land, hoping it would help Kenny remain happy and maintain recovery.
Kenny treasured family and celebrations that came with it. They’d all gather for holidays and everyone’s birthdays, even after people left home, and when all of Ken’s sisters had kids, Christmas present openings and Easter egg hunts became delightfully chaotic affairs. There were pinatas, water fights, and potlucks. Kenny positioned himself gleefully in the center of the commotion, running around with the little ones, loving every minute.
Kenny’s friend, Michelle Harris, along with the help of his entire family, provided the information for this narrative.
April 30, 1966 – January 7, 2018 – Age 51
Portrait Artist: Clayton Conner
Narrative Writer: Willow Kline
