Edward W. Kenny Jr., Col., USAF Ret

Published 5:06 pm Tuesday, April 30, 2013

APRIL 30 – Edward W. Kenny Jr., Col., USAF Ret, died of heart failure on Thursday, April 25, 2013 in Farmville. 'Big Ed' was born in Detroit, Michigan, on January 27, 1924.

A career Air Force officer and fighter pilot, he served in WWII and in the Korean and Vietnam conflicts, and the Cuban Mis-sile Crisis. In 1954, the young Capt. Kenny flew the F-84 Thunderstreak, winning the Bendix Air Trophy Race and setting a world speed record of 616.2 mph flying from Edwards AFB, CA, to Dayton, OH.

He is survived by three sons, Keith and wife, Carole Duff of Roseland, Kit and wife, Alice of Columbia, NC, and Kim and wife, Margaret of Crewe; three daughters, Karen Robeson and husband, Palmer of Leesburg, Kolleen Kidd and husband, Ray-mond of Leesburg, and Kelly Simonsen and husband, Christian of Youngsville, NC; brother, Donald R. Kenny of Northglenn, CO; six grandchildren, Alexander Kenny, Steven and Jennifer Robeson, Laura Donohue, Andrew Kidd, and Carson Kenny; and a great-granddaughter, Katherine Donohue. Col. Kenny was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years and HS sweetheart, Phyl-lis, formerly Phyllis Bender, and his granddaughter, Gretchen Kenny.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1 at the Shorter Funeral Home.

A memorial service will be held May 2 at 11 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church of Farmville. A graveside service will be held in a few weeks at the Arlington National Cemetery.

The family asks that donations be sent to St. John's Lutheran Church.

Shorter Funeral Home, Farmville, is in charge of arrangements. www.shorterfuneralhome.com