More detail on this person: Pasco, Washington - Beloved husband, father, and grandfather, John Patrick Kenny, age 77, of Pasco, Washington, passed into eternal life peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Wednesday, January 5, 2022. He was known to his family and friends for his Catholic faith, patriotism, love of family, a willingness to lend a helping hand to those in need, enjoyment of the outdoors, and his passion for aviation. Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Pat loved running around with pals, learning skills in Boy Scouts, and serving Mass at All Souls Parish (even serving a year at seminary school before the priests told him he wasn't quite cut out for it_) Pat graduated from Southeast Missouri State College and married his sweetheart, Nancy, before volunteering for the United States Marine Corps to serve in Vietnam. During his service as a CH-46 helicopter pilot, Pat was awarded an Air Medal, Navy Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation ribbon, and Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon. After his in-country tour, he qualified as a Naval aviation instructor for T-28s. He loved teaching fellow pilots at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida. His experience as a Purple Fox who "gave a sh*t" became a defining moment and his friendships with his HMM-364 brothers sustained him through many hard times and provided much laughter and support throughout his life. His adventurous spirit led him to fly planes in Oregon, Washington, Montana, and Texas while he honed his expertise as a potato processing plant manager, irrigation equipment salesman, commodities broker, Columbia River boat tour leader, and financial planner. A career highlight was his time in Libya and Jordan as a logistics manager for international irrigation projects. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 2258, Tri-Cities Sunrise Rotary Club, Military Officers Association of America, and active with a group of local military veterans, including co-founding the Veterans "Stammtich" breakfast meetings at Sterlings Restaurant. Pat loved fishing for sturgeon, hunting white tail and elk, and spending time around the campfire with friends. He was a life-long fan of Western movies, nature documentaries, and could be found cheering for his children and grandchildren during their events: dance recitals, volleyball, football, track, basketball, rock climbing, soccer, Tae Kwon Do, and chess. His family will continue to make his famous Thanksgiving sausage stuffing, listen to Creedence Clearwater Revival and Andre Bocelli, appreciate a ghost-town or Lewis & Clark themed road trip, automatically "Semper Fi" whenever we see a gold globe on a sea of red, toast "OORAH" to a glass of Maker's Mark, and remember his deep belly laughs while watching Three Stooges movies. He got to be both a pilot and a cowboy. Pat is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Nancy, and the beautiful family they created: children Colleen (Mark), Erin (Jeff), Kate, and Sara; and grandchildren Connor, Emily, Larkin, Kelsie, Gavin, Jadon, and Ian. He is also survived by his brother Mike and sisters Margie, Liz, Kathy, and Eileen. Pat joins his parents, John and Betty, and his sister Mariclare in the Divine Presence. He was well-lived and well-loved.
Burial information: Washington State Veterans Cemetery
This information was last updated 01/18/2022
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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