Obituary for Johnnie Richard Kenmore
Johnnie Richard Kenmore, 95, died September 7 at Valley View Hospital in Ada, Oklahoma. Services have been scheduled for 2 pm September 11 at the First Baptist Church of Duke with ministers, Coy Quesenbury, son-in-law, and Mike Patterson, grandson officiating. Burial will follow at the Prairie Prairie Hill Cemetery under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
When Johnnie was two years old, his family joined the Walter Bullard and Bud Warren families and headed west to the barren, unsettled community of Prairie hill, Oklahoma. The hardships of that long trip by wagon and the beginning of a new life bound those families together in special friendship that would see them through many hard times.
This spirit of adventure and exploration was "caught" by young Johnnie and those early footsteps across the Oklahoma prairie became familiar and comfortable. This was the beginning of his roots....a developing love affair with untamed territory and often unproductive soil, and to the special breed of folks who shared this love.
Life for this pioneer family was simple. For awhile their home was their wagon; then a half dug out; finally a house. It was on this soil, working alongside his father that he would learn practical lessons about life...lessons about survival...lessons that would be indelibly implanted in his heart and would set the direction for his own family and lifestyle.
On October 30, 1919 Johnnie married Serrintha Caroline West in Cheyenne, Oklahoma, and to that union seven children were born. Together they worked this land ; together they endured hardships, built a strong family and served God.
Johnnie Kenmore was baptized in Turkey Creek and became a member of the Prairie Hill Baptist Church in November of 1921...the beginning of a lifelong commitment he would never forget.
September 30, 1943, he was ordained as Deacon in the New Hope Missionary Baptist of Duke.
Through the years, he found many ways to serve God and the people around him. Most important to him were the years spent helping orphaned and homeless children in the Byng Orphans Home in Eastern Oklahoma, and as founding Superintendent of the Victory Children's Home six miles west of Altus.
His early retirement years took him back to his roots and to what he knew best...back to the saddle, punching cows and turning "mother earth". Cultivating and planting had never lost its intrigue and thrill of watching God produce the desired results never diminished. It's altogether fitting that he would conclude his work the same way he had begun it...in the "tight;" rich farm land of Southwestern Oklahoma.
Nine and a half decades; What a long time to live; What changes he has observed. From the simple horse drawn wagon which first brought him to Oklahoma to the sophisticated spaceships traveling high into the heavens above. Never one to resist progress he has moved through the years and with each discovery felt a distant sense of awe and delight.
Many epitaphs could be written about Johnnie Richard Kenmore, but this one says it best to me.
He was optimistic, determined and who loved his family. worked hard, and trusted God.
His footsteps go deep into the sands of Jackson County...and to the region beyond. Impacted forever are the lives of those he leaves behind. Five children; Lowell and Gerry Kenmore of Oklahoma City; Raymond and Louise Kenmore of Tulsa; James and Arlene Patterson of Ft. Worth, Texas, Don and Colene Linton of St. Louis., Oklahoma; Coy and Oat Quesenbury of Southlake, Texas. Twelve grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren, two sister; Willie Ratliff of Ft. Worth, Texas and Tressie Vossler of Altus, several nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife and parents; two children, Leslie and Bobbie, and two brothers; LeRoy and Harval Kenmore.
09/11/1995
2:00 PM
Funeral
First Baptist Church Duke
Duke
OK
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When Johnnie was two years old, his family joined the Walter Bullard and Bud Warren families and headed west to the barren, unsettled community of Prairie hill, Oklahoma. The hardships of that long trip by wagon and the beginning of a new life bound those families together in special friendship that would see them through many hard times.
This spirit of adventure and exploration was "caught" by young Johnnie and those early footsteps across the Oklahoma prairie became familiar and comfortable. This was the beginning of his roots....a developing love affair with untamed territory and often unproductive soil, and to the special breed of folks who shared this love.
Life for this pioneer family was simple. For awhile their home was their wagon; then a half dug out; finally a house. It was on this soil, working alongside his father that he would learn practical lessons about life...lessons about survival...lessons that would be indelibly implanted in his heart and would set the direction for his own family and lifestyle.
On October 30, 1919 Johnnie married Serrintha Caroline West in Cheyenne, Oklahoma, and to that union seven children were born. Together they worked this land ; together they endured hardships, built a strong family and served God.
Johnnie Kenmore was baptized in Turkey Creek and became a member of the Prairie Hill Baptist Church in November of 1921...the beginning of a lifelong commitment he would never forget.
September 30, 1943, he was ordained as Deacon in the New Hope Missionary Baptist of Duke.
Through the years, he found many ways to serve God and the people around him. Most important to him were the years spent helping orphaned and homeless children in the Byng Orphans Home in Eastern Oklahoma, and as founding Superintendent of the Victory Children's Home six miles west of Altus.
His early retirement years took him back to his roots and to what he knew best...back to the saddle, punching cows and turning "mother earth". Cultivating and planting had never lost its intrigue and thrill of watching God produce the desired results never diminished. It's altogether fitting that he would conclude his work the same way he had begun it...in the "tight;" rich farm land of Southwestern Oklahoma.
Nine and a half decades; What a long time to live; What changes he has observed. From the simple horse drawn wagon which first brought him to Oklahoma to the sophisticated spaceships traveling high into the heavens above. Never one to resist progress he has moved through the years and with each discovery felt a distant sense of awe and delight.
Many epitaphs could be written about Johnnie Richard Kenmore, but this one says it best to me.
He was optimistic, determined and who loved his family. worked hard, and trusted God.
His footsteps go deep into the sands of Jackson County...and to the region beyond. Impacted forever are the lives of those he leaves behind. Five children; Lowell and Gerry Kenmore of Oklahoma City; Raymond and Louise Kenmore of Tulsa; James and Arlene Patterson of Ft. Worth, Texas, Don and Colene Linton of St. Louis., Oklahoma; Coy and Oat Quesenbury of Southlake, Texas. Twelve grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren, two sister; Willie Ratliff of Ft. Worth, Texas and Tressie Vossler of Altus, several nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife and parents; two children, Leslie and Bobbie, and two brothers; LeRoy and Harval Kenmore.
09/11/1995
2:00 PM
Funeral
First Baptist Church Duke
Duke
OK
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