This picture was taken 1 month to the day before his passing. This was July 4th while he was camping and he was getting ready to go watch fireworks. They say he always waved to you by showing you the peace signs. (hence the title). Out of all the time he had cancer, you NEVER heard him complain, NEVER heard excuses and most of all to show the true Uncle Kenny spirit and personality, even though his condition, he still continued to be more concerned about others and not himself. I have heard several comment on how they were sick and he made sure to call them and see how they were or seeing them at his benefit, he would ask how they were. Still worried about others and not himself. Aunt Carol said even Monday or Tuesday before his passing early Thursday morning around 1230, he was still showing his silliness. He pulled her hair and he tried to raise his hand and kinda slap her playing around and picking on her.
His services were held at Mars Hill Baptist Church in Lawrenceburg where he and his family attend church at.
So it started with Saturday being the visitation. There were a TON of people to come through there which was amazing because it showed how many people he has truly touched in his life but there is 1 in particular that really stuck out to me. There was this woman to come in with 2 or 3 little kids. One of the kids was approx 10-12 years old by looks and he was hanging over the casket and looking at Uncle Kenny. You could tell he wasn't hanging on it out of disrespect, he was just up against it and really looked to be reminiscing. It just really appeared to me that Uncle Kenny really impacted that child's life at some point and time. It really made me think, you always have to watch what you do and your actions because you never know just who you will make an impact on.
Sunday started off with Family only going to the funeral home about and hour and a half before he was taken to the church. This was done so that it could give church enough time to get out before he was taken back there but also gave the family their alone time with him.
We know when he left the church going to the burial ground that he would not be in a hearse that he would be on the fire truck however, we did not know that leaving the funeral home going to the church that he would be taken by firetruck. As I said, only the family was at the funeral home however, walking out of the funeral home was so emotional and so touching at the same time. As we walked out, the firemen were out by the truck lined up at attention and then, not to mention, when they loaded him up on the fire truck. WOW, what an amazing thing to witness and be a part of.
When we got to the church, everyone was already there and as the firemen rolled in the casket, the family followed in behind them. As we were walking in, I could not help but to notice the HUGE crowd. The church is a huge church which was cram packed and I don't know if there were any open seats available or not. That was just so amazing to me because it really showed how very loved he was and also just how many lives he impacted during his short lived life.
As the service got started, his church choir started singing "I Can Only Imagine". Again, WOW. There had to be at least 50 of them. Then their were 2 guys that spoke, 1 being Uncle Kenny's best friend Gary Kilburn which done and amazing job and the other being Uncle Kenny's preacher Brother Mickey which also done an amazing job.
Uncle Kenny services really shed a light on me and put things into perspective. Even though he was bed ridden, For 3 consecutive weeks prior to his passing, he was in church. So my question is, with everything he went through, being bed ridden, and all, he was still in church with NO excuses. So whats your excuse? He can go to church, why do so many others including myself at times, make excuses and not go. As I have said before, he has got to be one of the (if not THE) most inspirational man of God I have EVER met.
Also a huge statement Brother Mickey made was Uncle Kenny did NOT loose his battle to cancer but he WON his battle. He is now in heaven where he belongs and SO DESERVES TO BE. He is now in heaven with his mom and dad with no more pain and no more cancer.
Again, as we were leaving the church going to the burial ground, there stood the firemen at attention and then loaded him up on the fire truck. Trent led the funeral procession which was a honor. We went a long route so that we could ride by his station that he worked at. At that station, they had a fire truck set up with this flag hanging in the middle of the road along with ambulances and fire trucks lined up all down the road. In this picture, the flag is hanging over Uncle Kenny.
In this picture, it shows only a portion of the people lined up. It was also amazing because even if people did not show up for funeral, they knew about it and was outside in their yard at the road with their hand over their chest, some people on side of road videoing and everything.
Here the firemen are getting him off the fire truck. At the grave site, the firemen presented Aunt Carol with the flag on the casket, one son with uncle Kenny's boots and pants, one son with his jacket, and the other son with his helmet. They also presented both grand kids with a pair of his gloves. There was also a helicopter fly by.
Uncle Kenny's funeral was Beautiful. I know it is hard to think of a funeral being beautiful but his absolutely was. Uncle Kenny inspired so many and was also loved by so many. He will be dearly missed. I am so honored to have met such a wonderful man and to be a part of such a Beautiful ceremony for him.
WE LOVE YOU UNCLE KENNY AND WILL MISS YOU DEARLY!!!
