Fredrick Charles Kenney

Fredrick C. Kenney “ Rick” of Fort Jones CA went from our loving arms to Gods open arms on September 15, 2012. Rick was born April 20, 1947 to Richard Albert and Diane (King) Kenney in Ancon, Panama Canal Zone. He spent his early childhood years on the East Coast and had many happy memories of those years. In his teens his family moved to El Cajon CA where he graduated from Granite Hills High School class of 1966. Rick volunteered for the Navy while still in high school and deployed shortly after graduation. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam was stationed at many shipyards including the Philippines and saw many countries. During his 11 years in the Navy he accelerated quickly earning many medals, merits, and awards including the Navy Achievement Award. After the Navy Rick worked at various jobs and owned two Auto Repair shops He was an A.S.E. certified mechanic. At the age of 45 Rick wanted a career change. While continuing to work full time he decided to pursue a new career and began attending COS for Computer Aided Drafting and Engineering. He then transferred to Shasta College in Redding and lived in the dorms doing whatever work he could find while earning his degree. After two semesters of dorm life, Rick moved back to Fort Jones and drove back and forth to Reading after working all day in Yreka to finish his classes. Rick started working at Nor-Cal on the C&C machines and with hard work, dedication and long hours, he worked his way into the Engineering department where he loved designing things and even worked on projects for NASA. After 19 years he was laid off. HALLELIUJA!!! We all loved having Rick/Dad/Papa at home. Finally, NASCAR races were attended, projects finished, cherished and well-earned time with family, sitting in the backyard with his beloved wife Sherrell enjoying the waterfall and pond he helped built while watching the sunset and listening to the grandchildren’s laughter brought out a whole new Rick. Rick could fix anything!! From sick pets to building engines to clogged plumbing you name it and he loved to help. He was detail oriented and precise he enjoyed reading technical manuals! He wanted to know how everything worked. He took apart an alarm clock at age 3 and put it back together in working condition. Not only did Rick fix things he diagnosed why it failed and modified it. Rick had many hopes and dreams and successes. He was an innovative, imaginative, resourceful hardworking and a helpful genius. He enjoyed car shows, camping, fishing, sailing, rafting, mountain rides, horseback riding, motorcycle racing, photography, the sound of a fast engine, music, playing the drums, and flying remote controlled airplanes. Rick loved God his family and friends and is missed and is survived by his wife Sherrell Vanhooser-Kenney; his daughters Jennifer (Travis) Hewitt, Krista (Tim) Hurd; grandchildren Evan and Naomi Hewitt and Cheyene, Tanner, Haley, Levi and Derrick Hurd; Sister Charlotte Vasey and Nephews Chuck and Ray and their children; Ricks Uncle Olney and cousins. Memorial and Military Services were held on September 29, 2012 in Fort Jones Ca. Donations can be made to Kidder Creek Orchard Camps scholarships or the Senior Meal Program Loaves and Fishes.

Fredrick Charles Kenney

April 20, 1947 - September 15, 2012