1921
John
2010
John Rockwell Kenyon,
April 1, 1921 — April 11, 2010
John Rockwell Kenyon, Jr., of Blairsville, GA, passed away Sunday, April 11, 2010 in Union General Hospital. He was 89.
Born April 1, 1921, in Charlotte, NC, John was the firstborn child to the late John Rockwell and Lillie (Crowell) Kenyon. John graduated from high school in Charlotte and continued on to the University of North Carolina until he entered the military.
A decorated World War II Veteran, John served as a Naval Aviator in the Pacific Theatre on the USS Enterprise. He received numerous medals and ribbons, including the Distinguished Flying Cross and four Air Medals, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Ribbon with three stars, the Philippine Liberation Medal and the American Campaign Medal. John flew the F6F Grumman Hellcat, part of the first VF-90 night flight group participating in the campaigns of Okinawa, Iwo Jima and the first carrier strikes on Tokyo.
In 1947 he married Jess Clontz, from Monroe, NC. They made their home in Dunwoody, GA, where together they raised three boys: John Rockwell, III, Robert Benton and David Sterling.
John worked 35 years for International Harvester, and he and Jess retired to Niceville, FL in 1980. They moved to Blairsville, GA in 2001, where they would remain until John?s death.
John and Jess enjoyed life together. In their earlier years, they spent a lot of time on the golf course, loved playing bridge, and spending time with family. John often quoted scripture and was a practicing Presbyterian.
Survivors include his wife, Jess C. Kenyon of Blairsville, GA; sons John R. Kenyon, III, and his wife, Brenda, of Woodstock, GA; Robert B. Kenyon and his wife, Judy, of Austin, TX; and D. Sterling Kenyon and his wife, Kathryn, of Woodstock, GA; brother, George Kenyon of Charlotte, NC and sister, Betty Graham of Raleigh, NC; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. John was predeceased by his brother, William S. Kenyon, of Charlotte, N.C.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 11:30 am at North Lanier Baptist Church, 829 Atlanta Road, Cumming, GA. Phone 770-781-5433. Military honors will be provided by the US Navy. Preceding the service, the family welcomes friends at 10:30 am.
Funeral arrangements were made by Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville.
Born April 1, 1921, in Charlotte, NC, John was the firstborn child to the late John Rockwell and Lillie (Crowell) Kenyon. John graduated from high school in Charlotte and continued on to the University of North Carolina until he entered the military.
A decorated World War II Veteran, John served as a Naval Aviator in the Pacific Theatre on the USS Enterprise. He received numerous medals and ribbons, including the Distinguished Flying Cross and four Air Medals, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Ribbon with three stars, the Philippine Liberation Medal and the American Campaign Medal. John flew the F6F Grumman Hellcat, part of the first VF-90 night flight group participating in the campaigns of Okinawa, Iwo Jima and the first carrier strikes on Tokyo.
In 1947 he married Jess Clontz, from Monroe, NC. They made their home in Dunwoody, GA, where together they raised three boys: John Rockwell, III, Robert Benton and David Sterling.
John worked 35 years for International Harvester, and he and Jess retired to Niceville, FL in 1980. They moved to Blairsville, GA in 2001, where they would remain until John?s death.
John and Jess enjoyed life together. In their earlier years, they spent a lot of time on the golf course, loved playing bridge, and spending time with family. John often quoted scripture and was a practicing Presbyterian.
Survivors include his wife, Jess C. Kenyon of Blairsville, GA; sons John R. Kenyon, III, and his wife, Brenda, of Woodstock, GA; Robert B. Kenyon and his wife, Judy, of Austin, TX; and D. Sterling Kenyon and his wife, Kathryn, of Woodstock, GA; brother, George Kenyon of Charlotte, NC and sister, Betty Graham of Raleigh, NC; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. John was predeceased by his brother, William S. Kenyon, of Charlotte, N.C.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 11:30 am at North Lanier Baptist Church, 829 Atlanta Road, Cumming, GA. Phone 770-781-5433. Military honors will be provided by the US Navy. Preceding the service, the family welcomes friends at 10:30 am.
Funeral arrangements were made by Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville.
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