Baker City, Oregon
Kyle Blake Kennison, 51, of Hermiston, a former Baker City resident, died Feb. 4, 2004, at Oregon Health Sciences University Hospital in Portland.
His memorial service was Monday at the Hermiston High School gymnasium. There was a private family graveside service at the Hermiston Cemetery.
Mr. Kennsion was born on Sept. 30, 1952, at La Grande to Harry and Mary Jackson Kennison. He was raised at Wallowa, Pilot Rock, Omak, Wash., and Baker City. He was a 1971 Baker High School graduate.
Kyle than attended the University of Idaho at Moscow where he was a student athlete, competing in track. He graduated with a double major, bachelor’s degrees in sociology and education, in 1975.
Kyle taught school at Middleton, Idaho, from 1976 to 1979 when he moved to Hermiston. He taught government and economics classes as well as coaching track. He also was an assistant football coach and Key Club adviser for many years.
He served as the head track coach through the spring of 2001. Kyle married Dawn Voll on July 28, 1995, in the Cook Islands.
Kyle was very active in the community. He ran the swimming pool for many years, established the youth track program and the Track Officials Federation and was a member of the Bulldog Booster Club.
He was also a member of the Oregon Athletic Coaches Association, and a University of Idaho Alumni member. He enjoyed sports, exercise, cars, traveling, music and working with the youth track program. He had great pride in watching his daughter, Kali, swim competitively, and his daughter, Shay, dance.
Survivors include his wife, Dawn Kennison of Hermiston; daughter, Kali Frisbee of Eagle, Idaho, and Shay Kennison of Hermiston; parents, Harry and Mary Kennison of Salem; a brother, Gary Miller of Bend; a sister, Kara Kennison of Vancouver, Wash.; and two granddaughters, Emily and Megan Frisbee.
He was preceded in death by an infant sister, Janine Kennison.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Kyle Kennison Scholarship Fund through Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, P.O. Box 289, Hermiston, OR 97838.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, February 13, 2004
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor