The Excelsior Standard, Mar. 13, 2026

Kenneth “Griz” Eugene Foster Kenyon of Rayville passed away in his sleep Feb. 28, 2026.

A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. April 4 at Van Till Family Farm Winery in Rayville.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in his name to American Legion Post 61, the Patriot Guard Riders or the local emergency service organization of the donor’s choice.

Kenneth was born April 4, 1949, to Louise Guerra Kenyon and Paul Asa Kenyon in Smithville, and grew up on Old Stagecoach Road in Platte County on the farm that preceded Tiffany Greens Golf Club. He went to school at St. Therese, St. Pius X and Platte County High School; and he was involved in 4-H, Junior Achievement, debate, photography and band.

Kenneth served from 1967 to 1971 in the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) as an electronics technician. At his first duty station in Two Rivers, Wis., he met Patricia Strouf of Manitowoc. Service took him to Okinawa, maintaining LORAN-A and -C.

Then, he returned stateside and married Pat in 1970. They lived in Dollar Bay, Mich., while he was stationed at USCG Station Portage before making their permanent home in Kansas City and having four children.

Like his father and brother before him, Kenneth went through the apprenticeship program at IBEW Local 124. At the recommendation of some union brothers, he started working at Ford’s Kansas City assembly plant in Claycomo, where his UAW Local 249 career lasted from 1983 to 2006.

Ken was too restless to be still and he rejoined the IBEW, where he worked until retiring in 2015.

Kenneth loved farming. His Rayville farm kept him busy, where he said he felt most “alive” baling hay. Throughout his life, he served others through volunteer firefighting (Riverside and Wood Heights), amateur ratio (KE0EHA), CERT (Ray County) and mentoring Scouts in pursuit of their Gold Award and Eagle Scout rank.

He was an avid reader, could solve any New York Times crossword puzzle and invented the “Dad joke.”

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Paul Ralph Kenyon (Kathey, surviving) and Carl Curtis Kenyon (Charlene, surviving).

Survivors include his former wife, Pat; sister, Paula Vogt (Sheldon); daughters, Catherine and Stacey; sons, Paul and Matt; “son,” Justin Brickey; and grandchildren, Josh and Elisha.