John Richard Kenny
October 7, 1933 ~ September 10, 2024
Born in:
Rochester, New York
Resided in:
Asheville, North Carolina
**IMPORTANT* Due to the continued extreme area conditions, the service for John and Adele Kenny has been postponed. It will NOT be October 5. New arrangements will be posted here as soon as they are available.
John Richard Kenny passed away peacefully on September 10, 2024. John was born on October 7, 1933 and raised in Rochester, New York. After attending Allegheny College in Pennsylvania for two years, he completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Rochester and graduated in 1956. While working at Eastman Kodak Company in upstate New York, he met the love of his life and wife of 69 years Adele Moyer, and they were married in 1955. After service in the US Army from 1956-1958, he worked for the Taylor Instrument Company in Rochester. John and Adele moved their young family to Asheville, NC when he was transferred to the new Taylor Consumer Products Division plant in Arden in 1964, where he worked until his retirement in 1984.
John was a long time member of Calvary Episcopal Church in Fletcher, NC and later a member of Fletcher United Methodist Church. He was active in his community as a long time member of the Asheville Civitans Club, youth league coach, Better Business Bureau arbitrator, and suicide hot line crisis counselor. He loved the peace and quiet of the outdoors and enjoyed countless hours trout fishing in western North Carolina and metal detecting/treasure hunting throughout NC and beyond. He relished time with family, and his grandchildren have many fond memories in his presence. He had great affinity for stock market investing throughout his adult life. He also enjoyed reading, travel, and caring for the family pets.
John was preceded in death by his wife, Adele Hathaway Moyer Kenny, his parents, Earl Clifford Kenny and Jessie Mae Shear Kenny, sister-in-law Marilyn Thomsen Moyer, and brother-in-law Robert J. Steidle. He is survived by his sister Linda Steidle, brother-in-law Don Moyer, his three sons Eric Kenny (Karen), Alan Kenny (Rita), and Steve Kenny (Amanda Aldridge), his six grandchildren Kristen Bonner (nee Kenny, and her husband Cole), Margaret Osborne (nee Kenny, and her husband Brant), Michael Kenny, Erin Smith (nee Kenny and her husband Cameron), Mollie Kenny, and John Kenny, and his four great grandchildren Finley Bonner, Sienna Bonner, Scout Bonner, and Ione Osborne.
The family would like to express their appreciation and gratitude to the wonderful staff at Givens Estate Health Center and Four Seasons Hospice for the loving care always given to John. In lieu of flowers, please direct any memorial donations to Rhododendron Civitan Foundation, P.O. Box 17035, Asheville, NC, 28816.
Groce Funeral Home’s Lake Julian team is assisting the family.
I am so sorry to hear this sad news. He was a wonderful man that loved his family. My prayers are with all of you at this time.
To My Dearest Cousins – Once again my heart breaks for all of you. Strangely enough, the memories I have most of Uncle Dick are centered around his visits to Rochester. There was of course always the visit to the grocery store for a cooler full of Zweigles Hot Dogs to take home. Then a visit to the local farm stand as well – I think it was always for peaches and corn on the cob depending on the time of year. Finally, it was watching him fill his pipe every night outside on the back patio followed by the wonderful aroma of pipe tobacco. He also would get this little giggle and a sparkle in his eye when he was doing something he shouldn’t. Like stealing a piece of pie before dinner or teasing my mom or your mom. Words can not express the grief our family feels at his passing. Please extend our deepest sympathy to your families.
I am deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Uncle Dick, aka, Uncle Detector. I have fond memories of him going around to old schools and beaches with his metal detector and looking for treasures. My favorite part as a kid was looking at all the trinkets he would find. He even gave me one of his old metal detectors and I still have it today. My thoughts and prayers go out to you all. He will be missed!
Such sad news. We will always think of Uncle Dick and Aunt Adele with love and affection. I remember how uncle Dick sat at our picnic table with a smile and let our 5 year old put clothespins in his hair as she played beauty salon. He was so kind and patient with her, it’s something she still remembers today. Our thoughts are with you all! How blessed you are to have had both of them in your lives.