Kenny was born on June 5, 1943, to Mark and Elsie Brown in Columbus, GA. He graduated from Jordan Vocational High School and went on to study at Auburn University.
Kenny proudly served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. He returned to Columbus where he and his cousin, Ralph Leary, Sr., started Leary & Brown, Inc. They have been building homes for families in the Columbus area for over 57 years.
In 1963, Kenny married his high school sweetheart Frankie Crider Brown. They had two daughters, Sheri McVay and Christy Jones.
He was elected to the Board of Directors of CB&T in 1983. In 1993, he, along with business partners Will White, Ralph Leary, and Elizabeth Heard, formed Greystone Properties, a multi-family developer and operator. Kenny’s business acumen and integrity were admired by all who worked with him.
Kenny had many hobbies throughout his life. He enjoyed playing golf and tennis as well as hunting with his grandchildren at his country place in Hurtsboro, Alabama, and fishing on his boat in the Gulf of America. He was an avid runner for many years completing his first and only marathon at the age of 65. Papa Kenny was devoted to his grandchildren and never missed a game, meet, competition or dance recital.
He was born and raised in a Christian home and loved the Lord his whole life. He was a longtime member of Evangel Church and the Joint Heirs Sunday School class.
Kenny is preceded in death by his parents Mark and Elsie Brown, his brother-in-law Robert “Bob” Hempy, and his mother and father-in-law Frank and Ruth Crider.
Kenny is survived by his wife of 61 years, Frankie, daughters Sheri McVay (Jamie) and Christy Jones (Bill), grandchildren Bo Jones (Catie), Mark McVay, Ben Jones, and Kate McVay, great-grandson Rhett Jones, and sister Barbara Hempy and her children Beverly, Brad, Byron and Brett.
Kenny’s legacy of love, hard work and dedication to his faith will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. He will be deeply missed.
Special thanks to his Hospice nurse, Tony Miller, and his caregivers Doris Ford, Mary Jo Snead, and Mamie Coppins.
Visitation for family and friends will be held at 1:00 PM and the funeral service at 2:00 PM, Monday, February 10, 2025, at Evangel Church 5350 Veterans Pkwy, Columbus, GA 31904. A private family burial will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, February 10, 2025, at Parkhill cemetery 4161 Macon Rd, Columbus, GA 31907.
In lieu of flowers, charitable donations can be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center, Evangel Church, or Serenity Foundation.
