He departed this life the afternoon of November 27, 2006, at the Manor Care Nursing Home in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of 78 years, 9 months and 9 days.
On April 3, 1948 in Waynesville, Missouri, Kenneth was united in marriage with Delpha Marguerite Sanders, and to this union one son, Kenneth Gregory, was born. Kenneth lost his beloved Delpha September 12, 2006.
At the end of WWII, Kenneth served two years in the Navy on the USS Midway. He was one of the sailors who volunteered for the atomic testing at Bikini Atoll, and was operating a Mike boat at ground zero (as the water was boiling) carrying the scientists studying the fallout. In 1948, Kenneth joined the Missouri Army National Guard. Having served his country for 40 years, Chief Warrant Officer Cavaness retired in 1985. Kenneth was also appointed President of the National Atomic Veterans Administration.
As a young Staff Sergeant in the Missouri National Guard, Kenneth had the honor of serving on the security team for President Harry S. Truman during a visit to his home town. President Truman entrusted Kenneth, over higher ranking officers, with the care of his personal briefcase.
Kenneth M. and son Kenneth Gregory, along with Kenneth M's father Andrew, plus brothers Alan, Cecil and Ernest, with brother-in-law, George Sanders, all served in the Missouri National Guard, and all served on Active Duty in the various branches of the military. Kenneth M. and son, Kenneth Gregory, along with older brother Neal Kellerman (Hans & Fritz), were members in the Civil Air Patrol and flew search and rescue in Missouri. In addition, Kenneth M. was a member of the Independence Police Department Reserve Officers where his brother Neal worked full time as a Major, and Kenneth Gregory was a Reserve Deputy Sheriff for Jackson County, Kansas City area.
Kenneth and Delpha moved to the Success, Missouri area in 1988, and began attending the Roby Christian Church. He served as the Lynch Township road commissioner/board member, and was an instructor for the Youth Hunters Education Division of the Missouri Conservation Department. Kenneth was a long time Mason with the Granite Lodge #272 in Sedalia. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing with his son, and brothers Neal, Alan and Cecil. Before their hunting and fishing trips, the Cavaness clan always loaded up with food from brother Alan's Dog and Suds Restaurant in Warrensburg on their way to the Dad's place in Success.
Kenneth was dearly loved, and will be very greatly missed by his son: CWO Kenneth Cavaness and wife, Chyrll of Sparta; 5 siblings: Neal Kellerman of Holden, Alan Cavaness of Warrensburg, Cecil Cavaness of Licking and Ernest and Charlene Cavaness both of Kansas City; his grandchildren: Kenneth Ryan Cavaness, wife, Jewell, and their children, Casey R., Shelby R. and Andrew M. Cavaness, and Rochelle A. Walker, husband, Kraig, and their son, Kavan D.; several nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents and his wife, Kenneth was also preceded in death by an infant brother and one sister, Mary Foster.
Masonic Services were held at 12:00 P.M. Tuesday, December 5, 2006 in the Memorial Chapel of Waynesville/St. Robert. Funeral services followed with Rev. David Ingalls officiating. Kenneth's son, Kenneth Gregory Cavaness, gave a beautiful eulogy. Soloist Becky Lercher sang "Amazing Grace", "In The Garden" and "The Old Rugged Cross". Serving as escorts were the United States Army.
Burial with military honors followed in the Waynesville Memorial Park Cemetery. Military honors were provided by the United States Army of Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapel of Waynesville/St. Robert.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Kenneth Cavaness to the Granite Masonic Lodge of Sedalia.
No comments:
Post a Comment