Long time Douglas resident, Frank Kenyon (age 90) suffered a heart attack and passed away on Wednesday, July 1.
|
|
He worked at the Phelps Dodge smelter for 44 years before retiring as the Master Mechanic supervising all the craft shops. Serving as a third class petty officer in the United States Navy during World War II, he performed the job of aviation tinsmith. Frank was a lifetime member of Elks Lodge #955, Free Masons Chapter #9RM, and the Douglas American Legion. He joined the First Baptist church as a youth and was an active member for 76 years.
As a 1936 Douglas High School graduate, he earned his “D” in track (high jump), went on to state track meet, and was voted by his teammates as track captain. His sports endeavors continued after graduation as a softball pitcher on the smelter team and as a team bowler at the Elks Club. The workers he supervised, the members of his sports teams, and the Baptist Church members will always remember his sense of fairness, his humor, and his wide grin. He always was willing to help anyone who needed help.
In 1999 he was nominated as an “Ageless Hero” in the Vigor and Vitality category by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. He was selected as a individual who served as proof that maturity can be a time of vitality and creativity, overcoming challenges, helping the community, pursuing knowledge, and guiding the lives of young people. Frank will always be remembered as the man in the red “World’s Greatest Dad” baseball hat who walked all over town, to the bank, to the Gadsden restaurant, to church, and to the Hungry Bear cafe. He logged over 1,000 miles yearly during the last 15 years.
He is survived by his three children, Karen, Tom, and Michael; his daughter-in-law, Juleen; his grand children, Lance (wife-Regina)and Terri(husband-Krish); and three great grandchildren, Paige, Taylor , and Dylan. Others include his sister-in-law, Georgia (husband-Ed) Page; two nephews Rob (Debbie), Mike (Tamara);, and one niece Toni (Troy) Birdsong. Also, in Oklahoma, Barbara Kenyon(deceased husband and Frank's brother,Otis), nephews: Tom and Mark, and neice, Areta
A “Celebration of Life” service will be held at the First Baptist Church in Douglas in October. A memorial fund has been set up in his honor. In lieu of flowers, please send remembrances to First Baptist Church,10th and E Street, Douglas, Arizona 85607.
Comments
Angela Leyva Bleyhl wrote on Jul 27, 2009 4:37 PM:
Many times I would talk to Karen at one of the local restaurants and she would tell me how Mr. Kenyon was doing. May the family receive many blessings and courage in their time of sorow. Love ya, Karen. Angela "
Josie Gonzales wrote on Jul 17, 2009 5:00 PM:
Dora wrote on Jul 13, 2009 3:20 PM:
Lance Kenyon wrote on Jul 12, 2009 6:11 PM:
Meg Magoffin -Gilmore wrote on Jul 11, 2009 8:31 AM:
My thoughts are with you Karen, Tom, and Mike. "
Emilio Pinedo wrote on Jul 10, 2009 5:45 PM:
Helen Haxton Stephenson wrote on Jul 10, 2009 12:06 PM:
Hector Montano wrote on Jul 9, 2009 8:02 PM:
On behalf of my wife and the rest of my family, we would like to extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to the children and grand children of Mr. Kenyon. "