Kenneth Ethridge (Urbana)'s Obituary
Mr. Kenneth Dean (Kenny) Ethridge, Sr. of Independence, MO was born on April 21, 1934 and he returned to the Lord on December 1, 2017. He was 83 years old.
Kenny was born on the family farm in Dallas County, MO, the youngest of four sons of Elmer and Bessie (Shaw) Ethridge. In addition to big brothers Carl, Lawrence and Leonard; from his father’s prior marriage he had another elder brother, Benny, and three elder sisters, Emma, Ruth and Ethel. Kenny’s childhood was marked by the death of both of his parents by the age of 12 and by 16, in search of full-time work, he made his way to Kansas City. It was there that he met the fiery redhead with whom he shared his life for more than 50 years. He married Shirley Louise Dunivent on May 31, 1953. In their young marriage they moved to several places, with Kenny working various jobs until he landed the job that would become a 30-year career at General Motors. Kenny loved cars and really loved to drive, so it’s no surprise that he also enjoyed his work at the assembly plant. After several years living in his in-law’s house in Kansas City, he purchased the family home in Raytown, MO where they lived for nearly 30 years. During this time, Kenneth became a father to four sons, David, Dean, Bill and John. The family traveled and camped, and Kenny instilled his love of fishing and the outdoors in all of them. He attended church regularly and even drove the church bus.
Kenny never forgot his roots and when the opportunity arose, he bought himself a farm, in Urbana, MO, back in Dallas County. Over the years, he shared his 80-acre farm with family, friends and strangers; it, serving as a retreat from the city. Upon his retirement, Kenny and Shirley moved with John to take up farm life. There were vegetable gardens, chickens, pigs and various other livestock over the 20 years they lived together on the farm. But retirement was not all work – once they became empty-nesters, Kenny and Shirley embarked on a travel adventure, making their way to all four corners of the U.S. and everywhere in between. For their 50th anniversary, Kenny relinquished his seat behind the driver’s wheel, for an unforgettable trip to Hawaii; something they both treasured and talked about frequently.
In 2008, Kenny made the tough decision to sell a portion of the farm to move and take his mother-in-law Opal (with whom he was very close) back to her roots in Poteau, OK. Within months of the move, Shirley became ill and Kenny found himself facing the loss of his beloved wife. Through this tragedy, Kenny reconnected with old friends and found himself drawn back to Kansas City.
There he found comfort in conversations with a dear friend, Shirley N. (Shoemaker) Hay who had also faced the loss of her spouse and understood not only how he was feeling, but knew all the old stories - and a thing or two about how to feed a guy. It didn’t take long for Kenny to do that math and in November of 2009 they were wed. They lived in Poteau for a while, but ultimately made their home in Independence, MO. Shirley Hay also enjoyed spending time at the farm and Kenny rebuilt a new respite spot for them to escape to. They shared eight wonderful years of love and friendship, extending the circle of family and friends who will sorely miss him.
Kenny was preceded in death by his wife Shirley (Dunivent); son David; grandson Brandon Ethridge; his parents and each of his brothers and sisters. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Hay, of the home; three sons, Dean (Linda) of Belton, MO; Bill of Kansas City, MO; and John (Betty) of Marshfield, MO; stepdaughter Bernita Spear, stepson Ronald Hay; and dozens of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family, friends and church family who will all miss him dearly.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Mission Ridge Cemetery Association.
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