James Kenny

James Charles Kenny, 92, of Cadiz, died Monday at his home. He was born August 19, 1918 in Saginaw, MI, a son of the late James C. and Marie Shannon Kenny. Following the death of his mother at a young age, the family moved frequently, eventually settling near Pittsburgh, PA, and finally in Cadiz. Jim graduated from Cadiz High School in 1936 and attended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. In 1940, he was one of three men who were the first to be drafted for WW II. He spent four and a half years in the Army in Europe and Japan. Following the war, Jim organized the Army Reserve Unit at Cadiz and through his efforts, the Armory was built in 1959. He commanded the 463rd Engineer Battalion and retired from the reserve unit at the rank of Lt. Colonel. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Barbara Edwards. Surviving are his wife, Eleanor Peebles (McMaster) Kenny; a daughter Barbara Chenoweth; two sons, Timothy (Marge) Kenny and Thomas (Deborah) Kenny, all of Cadiz; seven grandchildren: Shane Kenny, Tessa (Jonathan) Stewart, Shawna Kenny, Tyler and Taylar Kenny; Shannon (Clay) Lopez and Erin (Ronald) Thompson; and great grandchildren: Riley Stewart, Kaitlyn and Nicholas Lopez, and Cameron, Cooper and Chloe Thompson. Jim was an active member of St. Teresa's Catholic Church in Cadiz, and recently retired from managing the Salvation Army in Harrison County. He worked in the retail lumber business and managed Scott Lumber Company for 15 years. He was a former Commander of the Cadiz American Legion and managed Legion Baseball for 17 years. He was a member of the Cadiz Boosters Club, Chairman of the Harrison County Democratic Central Committee for 15 years; served several terms on the Harrison County Board of Elections; and served on the review committee for selection of US Military Academy Appointees. He was a former member and President of the Cadiz Village Council, where he was actively involved in bringing Wendy's Restaurant, the first fast food restaurant in Harrison County, to Cadiz. He helped to form and annex the Cadiz Village Industrial Park, bringing Cardinal Industries, Cadio, and Excel Mining to the park. He was a founding member and Treasurer of the Cadiz High School Alumni Association Scholarship Fund. Friends may call Thursday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Clark-Kirkland Funeral Home, Cadiz. Funeral Liturgy with Mass will be celebrated Friday at 11:00 a.m. at St. Teresa's Catholic Church by Rev. Fr. Timothy McGuire. Burial will follow at Cadiz Union Cemetery with Military Honors performed by the Cadiz American Legion. A Vigil Service will be held Thursday at 8:45 p.m. in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cadiz Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, c/o Jon Kirkland, 172 S. Main St., Cadiz, OH 43907. Online condolences may be made at www.clark-kirkland.com.

Service

Thursday, December 2, 2010 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Clark-Kirkland-Barr Funeral Home, Inc.
172 South Main Street Cadiz 4390, United States

Service

Friday, December 3, 2010 11:00 AM
St. Teresa's Catholic Church
143 East South Street Cadiz 43907, United States