in Hudson, FL where he lived at Heritage Pines. Colonel Kenney entered
the regular army in 1950 after being commissioned from the Ohio State
University ROTC. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Education from OSU
and a Masters of Science Degree in Aero-Space Engineering from the
University of Arizona. Don served 28 years in the U.S. Army, including
the command of field artillery units in both the Korean and Vietnam
conflicts, as an Artillery Operations Officers at Battalion and Corps
Levels in Germany and as a Field Artillery School gunnery instructor
at Fort Sill, OK. For eight years, he served on the Army General Staff
at the Pentagon in the capacity of Chief of the RDTE Programs and
Budget Division, OCRD. He was also Chief of the Programs and Budget
Division in the office of the System Manager for Ballistic Missile
Defense.
His awards and decorations include 3 Legion of Merits, Meritorious
Service Medal, Bronze Star, 2 Air Medals, 3 Army Commendations Medals,
2 National Defense Medals, US, UN and Vietnam Service Medals, Vietnam
Cross of Gallantry, US and Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation while
commanding the 6th Battalion, 29th Artillery during the battle of Dak
To (Fall, 1967).
Survivors include his beloved wife, Betty Smith Kenney, to whom he was
married for 66 years, his two daughters, Deborah Farley and Kathleen
Murphy, and her husband Lawrence of Vermont, son Daniel E. Kenney and
his wife Lee of Knoxville, TN., sister-in-law, Charlotte Attkisson and
her husband Jack of Hudson, FL. He was blessed with seven
grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Don was a man who was held in high regard by all who knew him. He is
known for his amazing sense of humor, quick wit, big heart, sharp mind
and ability to tell a good story. His faith in God gave him strength
for the trials of life. He was a 40 year member at First United
Methodist Church, Hudson, a charter member of Military Officers
Association of America (Suncoast Chapter), The American Legion and
life member of WBCCI Airstream RV Club. He was a most special, loving
husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who will be forever
loved and missed.
Visitation Hours: 4-7 pm, Friday, January 6, at Meadowlawn Memorial
Gardens, 4244 Madison Street, New Port Richey.
Funeral Service: 10:00 am, Saturday, January 7, at First United
Methodist Church, 13123 Highway 19, Hudson. Interment with Military
Honor Guard to follow at Meadowlawn Memorial Gardens. A light lunch
will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the
Veterans Administration in memory of Col. (Ret.) Donald Edwin Kenney.
Arrangements under the direction of North/Meadowlawn Funeral Home & Cemetery, New Port Richey, FL.
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