Homer L. Kennon entered into this world on July 17, 1927, in Ponder, Missouri. He was the son of Thomas and Nellie (Holland) Kennon. On November 2, 2024, he was reunited with those he had long since been separated from.
He was one of 21 kids that grew up on the family farm in Ripley County, Missouri. Hard work, grit, and determination were survival skills necessary to succeed in life. He left home at 16 and enlisted with the Merchant Marines to serve in World War II. He later found himself in eastern Arkansas where he met the love of his life, Mary Jane Stewart. He was a skilled carpenter, but later became a successful row-crop farmer and partner of Kennon Farms Trucking Company. He loved family, hunting, fishing, going to the lake, traveling, playing horseshoes and card games (which he hated losing, but loved teasing Mary Jane more), family reunions, John Deere, Peterbilts, Fords, and riding through the woods on the family farm in Ponder. He could not sit idle, but one of his most unique traits was the ability to close his eyes and promptly snore when in a seated position, but he could “Amen!” the preacher with impeccable timing when Mary Jane’s elbow made contact with his ribs. He loved to pester anyone to get a rouse out of them, but probably loved pestering dogs and cats more. He was a faithful member of the Church of Christ, serving as preacher, song leader, and elder throughout his life. He and Mimi loved their time as members of the Sojourners. He will be remembered as a man who loved God, his family, eating catfish, riding his Gator, and adoring his Mary Jane.
He is survived by his loving wife of 76 years, Mary Jane; three children, Stewart (Phyllis) Kennon of Ponder, Missouri, Thomas (Bradley) Kennon of Dexter, Missouri, Lea Kennon of Rogers, Arkansas, a son-in-law, Billy Pyle of Bruno, Arkansas, and Jan and Arina Fagerback; eight grandchildren, Jon (Robyn) Pyle of Bruno, Arkansas, Lesley (Keith) Edmonds of Bruno, Arkansas, Sara Pyle of Bentonville, Arkansas, Chase (Abby) Callison of Rogers, Arkansas, Haven Kirkpatrick of Rogers, Arkansas, Ty Kirkpatrick of Rogers, Arkansas, Damon (Whitney) Kennon of Jonesboro, Arkansas, and J.P. (Stephanie) Kennon of San Antonio, Texas; nine great grandchildren, Evyn Edmonds, Allie (Ben) Riddle, Erica Pyle, Bridget Pyle, Beckham Callison, Rivers Kennon, Arlie Kennon, Daisy Kennon, and Jake Kennon; sisters, Ruth Friend of Cadiz, Kentucky, Martha Lueker of St. Charles, Missouri, Barbara Nottmeier of Sweet Springs, Missouri, Retta Crosson of Raleigh, North Carolina, Rita Keel of Centerton, Arkansas, brothers Ron Kennon of Doniphan, Missouri, Jim Kennon of Rockford, Illinois; two sisters-in-law, Ruth Joyner of Olive Branch, Mississippi, and Pam Stewart of Firestone, Colorado; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Nancy Pyle; his parents, stepmother, Dolas Kennon; and his siblings Verna, Thelma, Alta, Lloyd, Syna Rae “Sandy”, Mary Nell, Rex, Lowell, Pershing, Willien, Laverne, Charles, and Joyce.
Graveside services are scheduled for 1:00 pm on Monday, November 4, 2024, at the Kennon Cemetery in Ponder, Missouri. A memorial service will be held at a later date to celebrate a life well-lived.
