John Richard Kenny

John Richard Kenny passed away peacefully on September 10, 2024. John was born on October 7, 1933 and raised in Rochester, New York. After attending Allegheny College in Pennsylvania for two years, he completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Rochester and graduated in 1956. While working at Eastman Kodak Company in upstate New York, he met the love of his life and wife of 69 years Adele Moyer, and they were married in 1955. After service in the US Army from 1956-1958, he worked for the Taylor Instrument Company in Rochester. John and Adele moved their young family to Asheville, NC when he was transferred to the new Taylor Consumer Products Division plant in Arden in 1964, where he worked until his retirement in 1984.
John was a long time member of Calvary Episcopal Church in Fletcher, NC and later a member of Fletcher United Methodist Church. He was active in his community as a long time member of the Asheville Civitans Club, youth league coach, Better Business Bureau arbitrator, and suicide hot line crisis counselor. He loved the peace and quiet of the outdoors and enjoyed countless hours trout fishing in western North Carolina and metal detecting/treasure hunting throughout NC and beyond. He relished time with family, and his grandchildren have many fond memories in his presence. He had great affinity for stock market investing throughout his adult life. He also enjoyed reading, travel, and caring for the family pets.
John was preceded in death by his wife, Adele Hathaway Moyer Kenny, his parents, Earl Clifford Kenny and Jessie Mae Shear Kenny, sister-in-law Marilyn Thomsen Moyer, and brother-in-law Robert J. Steidle. He is survived by his sister Linda Steidle, brother-in-law Don Moyer, his three sons Eric Kenny (Karen), Alan Kenny (Rita), and Steve Kenny (Amanda Aldridge), his six grandchildren Kristen Bonner (nee Kenny, and her husband Cole), Margaret Osborne (nee Kenny, and her husband Brant), Michael Kenny, Erin Smith (nee Kenny and her husband Cameron), Mollie Kenny, and John Kenny, and his four great grandchildren Finley Bonner, Sienna Bonner, Scout Bonner, and Ione Osborne.
The family would like to express their appreciation and gratitude to the wonderful staff at Givens Estate Health Center and Four Seasons Hospice for the loving care always given to John. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday October 5, 2024 at Calvary Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, please direct any memorial donations to Rhododendron Civitan Foundation, P.O. Box 17035, Asheville, NC, 28816.
Groce Funeral Home's Lake Julian team is assisting the family.