I left his obituary up, trying to think of something significant to say.  Weeks later it's still the original message that is just as simply profound now as it was then.  Kenny Trudell was a friend and we will miss him. 

Condolences to his family, other friends, and co-workers.  May the God of peace comfort you in your loss.  May we all meet him in heaven when we are finished on this earth. 

Sharon & Jon Vandegriff

Ken’s time on earth was impactful. I can remember him offering to help friends, neighbors and family on many occasions.  One organization I remember him volunteering for was Habitat for Humanity, where he helped build homes for those in need. I believe he helped shape the volunteer in me.  In my humble opinion, Ken’s best work on earth was his dedication to his children, and working to keep them away from “bad” things- behaviors, habits, influences, foods, drinks, you name it. Ken leaves behind three wonderful, beautiful daughters.  For a period of time he was a single father at a time when that was not much of a “thing”.  He had a very big heart and always had his children’s and grandchildren’s best interests in mind as he shaped their lives.  As my older brother, I can remember him looking out for me as well…mostly when I was under 10, but also as a young adult.  Three things I learned from him 1- Don’t eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in a warm car with the window open—a bee could easily sting your lip (True story, it happened to him  and I witnessed it!)   2- Different flavors of Now and Laters came in two different sized packages for the same cost (at least when Iwas 10, and in the environment of the pool snack bar), so buy the larger pack which offered more value for the money.  While that seems small, the concept applies to most grocery shopping.   3- As a high schooler, he had to coach me not to spend too much time sleeping, and that I should enjoy life to the fullest.  He had a great sense of humor, a warm smile and would have given anyone the shirt off his back if they needed it. RIP Kenny,  You will live in my heart forever. 

My father with all of his children and 1st grandchild.

My father, his father and children, Erin and Christy.

This picture was taken at Dad's house in College Park. Not sure of the year, but I think I was in my 20's.  It was one of several times that I had to go back to dad's as I had made a mess of my life. He was always there to pick me back up. I've learned so many good things from him, things that I have passed on to my children and other people I have helped in the human services field. My father taught me how to be thrifty, responsible and organized.... he taught me how to live and for that I am grateful. My father gifted me with his humor and love of music.  Rest in peace dad.


Kenney was a long time friend
 Mostly when we were younger we would hang out day to day.
Lived around the corner from each other in Lanham MD 
But I  have known Kenney for over 40 years.
In our later years an occasional
Phone call was how we connected
We would  often get in those deep philosophical discussions.
 I guess because it seemed safe to do so with a trusted friend.

  david petersen

 

Ken's time on earth was impactful. I can remember him offering to help friends, neighbors and family on many occasions. One volunteer organization I remember him working for was Habitat for Humanity, where he helped build homes for those in need. I believe he helped shape the volunteer in me. In my humble opinion, Ken's best work on earth was his dedication to his children, and working to keep them away from "bad" things- behaviors, habits, influences, foods, drinks, you name it. Ken leaves behind three wonderful, beautiful daughters. For a period of time, he was a single father at a time when that was not much of a "thing". He had a very big heart and always had his children's and grandchildren's best interests in mind as he shaped their lives. As my older brother, I can remember him looking out for me as well... mostly when I was under 10, but also as a young adult. Three things I learned from him: 1- Don't eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich while in a warm car with the window open-- a bee could easily sting your lip. (True story, it happened to him, and I witnessed it!) 2- Different Now and Later flavors came in different sized packages for the same cost (at least when I was 10, and in the environment of the pool snack bar), so buy the larger one which offered more value for my money. While that seems small, the concept applies to most grocery shopping decisions. 3- As a high schooler, he had to coach me not to spend too much time sleeping- that I should enjoy life to the fullest. He had a great sense of humor, a warm smile, and would have given anyone the shirt of his back if they needed it. RIP Kenny. You will live in my heart forever.

Kenny at Lake Louisa with freshly cooked hot dog.   Nancy was sitting on deck next to Ken…however picture was really bad, so she cropped it! 

Kenny with father (Bernie) and mother (Agnes) playing our traditional family Christmas white elephant game.  It started at Dolphin Road, continued at Westchester Park, then on Pooks Hill Road in Bethesda, carried on to next generation in Columbia, Eldersburg and Laurel.  If I recall correctly, it was Kenny’s idea, and boy did he find quite the gifts each year…some were hits, and others were too funny to be considered a flop. 

Mom with her 5 kids, 
Lina, Ray, Kenny (front row)
Nancy, Agnes (Mom), Jerry

Likely Easter picture 1965.

As others have said about Ken (he is Kenny to me) not only was a a devoted dad to his three  girls but he was a loving uncle to his nieces and nephews. I know he enjoyed his interactions with them.  We did not live close to Kenny but we all have fond memories of summer fun at Lake Louisa or many Christmas holidays with way too many gifts.  Rest in peace little brother.

Linda

Kenny was my beloved and loved little brother and I have great memories from childhood thru the decades . Ken had a great sense of humor and possessed a great collection of character traits from kindness and compassion to industrious He was a great and hard working dad and a mostly single dad as well so I had the utmost of respect for him because I know he worked so hard in his home improvement company to provide for his kids who are my nieces Just think , a single dad raising 3 little girls ! When you stop to think about this it’s really amazing isnt it ? God bless all of you Jerry

OBITUARY

Kenneth James Trudell

March 4, 1957 – March 20, 2023

Gary L. Kaufman Funeral Home at Meadowridge Memorial Park

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