Baker City, Baker County, Oregon
Leonard Francis Kenworthy, 75, of Baker City, died March 31, 2006, at the Boise Veterans Hospital after a difficult battle with cancer.
A celebration of his life and tribute to him was at 2 p.m. today at the Eagles Lodge. There was a reception afterward at the Eagles Lodge.
He was born on Sept. 15, 1930, at Huntsville, Wash., to Arzy and Ethyl Williams Kenworthy. He was the youngest of seven children. Later his family moved to North Powder where he graduated from high school in 1948. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1948 and was medically discharged.
He married Carole June Jeffries on Nov. 12, 1949, at Baker City. They recently celebrated 56 years together and have four children. Their love for each other has flourished over the years and was strong to the end.
He was a rugged outdoorsman who had a strong work ethic all his life. He worked during his young years in the hay fields at Baker Pac, where he learned the meat-cutting trade and eventually became a journeyman meat cutter. After this career, he decided to become a logger and was known for his cat-skinning skills, going where men feared to tread. He always loved being in the woods, there the air is fresh and clean and it’s peaceful.
In 1976 he co-founded K.C. Logging along with his good friend, Roy Cole. He also had the opportunity to work with his son, Richard, who for many years cut logs for him. He cherished this time he had with his son.
After retiring from logging, he enjoyed many good friends with whom he had breakfast and afternoon coffee breaks several times each week. He always looked forward to these get-togethers.
He was known for his great sense of humor and always had jokes for people he met along the way. He had a gift for bargaining and used it well at yard sales. He had many interests and was an avid hunter and fisherman.
In his earlier years he raced his stock car “Crisco” and was pretty good at it. In later years he enjoyed boating and fishing with his son-in-law, John, and being a pal to his daughters.
He died surrounded by the love and care of his family. He will be very, very missed, family members said.
Survivors include his wife, Carole; children Marge and John Garrett, Richard and Joni Kenworthy, Gina and Mike Harris, and Julie Cunningham and her friend, Jerry; grandchildren, Mandy Macy, Aimee Kenworthy, Kellie Kenworthy, Travis Harris, Krista Cleveland, Shyanne Cunningham, Sierra Cunningham, Lindsey Byers, Merrilee Catt, Paul Garrett and Casey Garrett; five great-grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law, Merle and Margo Kenworthy; sisters, Edna Pearson and Neilenne Garrett; sister-in-law, Peg Watterson; brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Dorothy Jeffries; stepfather, Ed Fitzgerald; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Ruth, Vera and Lois; his mother-in-law, Gay Fitzgerald; and father-in-law, LaVern Jeffries.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society through Gray’s West & Co., 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, April 7, 2006
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor