John Kenney
August 27, 1924 — February 10, 2014
John W. Kenney, 89, of Orion, died Monday, February 10, 2014 at Amber Ridge Memory Care, Moline. A Graveside Service will be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd., San Antonio Tex. on Friday, Feb. 21, 2014 at 1:15 p.m.,with United States Army Honors. John was born in Palestine, Ark. on August 27, 1924, a son of John and Mary Coffee Kenney. John graduated from Booneville High School in 1942 and obtained degrees from both the University of Colorado and University of Arkansas. John served with the U.S. Army during WWII. John was a gunner on a Flying Fortress (B-17) when his plane was shot down. He was caught and held as a prisoner of war at the Stalag Luft IV prison camp in Gross Tychow, Pomerania, Germany. John was Purple Heart Recipient and retired from the U.S. Army reserves in 1984 with the rank of Colonel. He married Linda J. Hyde on September 28, 1947 in Little Rock, Ark.She preceded him in death in 2006. During his early career, John worked as a chemical engineer in Colorado. He also worked at the Rock Island Arsenal, and later the Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey, where he would retire as an accounting manager. He was an avid gardener and a past mason. He enjoyed volunteering his time for many organizations and people throughout several communities in which he resided over the years. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, daughter, Barbara Bird,sisters, Dorothy "Louise" Gay, Virginia "Juanita" Bell, Helen "Louise" Grills and Ena Rae Kenney, Margaret Kenney, brother, James Paul Kenney and a half sister, Edna Mae (Kenney) Rasco. Survivors include his sons (and spouses), Richard Kenney, Rochester, Minn., David (Penni) Kenney, Orion, Ill., Bruce (Hope) Kenney, Portland, Ore. and Kevin Kenney, Seattle, Wash.; 7 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and brother, Bill (Marilyn) Kenney, DeRidder, La. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in the memory of John and Linda Kenney care of the Alzheimer's Association.
.
