Kenneth Bruce Kerens, age 91, passed away on Wednesday, August 7, 2024.
He was born on September 14, 1932, in Kerens, West Virginia, the youngest of 8 children of the late Peachie Mae and Enos Kerens. He graduated from Elkins High School in Elkins, WV in 1951 where he played football and was on the regional winning track team.
Kenneth joined the U.S. Air Force in 1953 serving during the last part of the Korean War and rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant. In 1956 he was stationed at Dover AFB, Delaware where he met his future wife, Crystle Lord, at a USO dance. They were married in 1957 and their daughter, Cory Lea, was born in 1958.
Kenneth worked at Atlantic Aviation at the New Castle, DE airport where he became one of the four members of the Atlantic Flyers, also known as the Musketeers, the only civilian precision flying team in the country at the time. The team performed at many air shows in Delaware and other states. He then went on to become a corporate jet pilot for Curtis Publishing Co., Perfect Film in Delaware and Executive Air Fleet, in Long Island, NY. He later worked for Stauffer Chemical, Hercules, and Stonegate Retirement Company. He retired from Stonegate as Plant Services Director in 2004 but continues to act as a special consultant for a few years.
In his younger years, Kenneth enjoyed playing baseball, archery and bowling and in later years was an avid golfer playing at Garrison Lake Golf Course in Smyrna and Maple Dale Country Club in Dover. He enjoyed traveling and attending professional golf tournaments with his wife. He was a do it yourselfer and built many things at his home. He and his wife were huge Phillies fans and watched all of their games on TV along with PGA golf tournaments and the Eagles.
After 50 years of living in Townsend, DE, he became a resident at the Assisted Living Facility of Westminster in Dover, DE where he still watched the Phillies, golf and the Eagles.
He was predeceased by his parents, 3 brothers, and 4 sisters.
Kenneth is survived by his wife of 67 years, Crystle, their daughter, Dr. Cory Kerens and her husband, Dr. Norman Ramsey of Malden, MA, sister-in-law, Tracy Forsythe and her husband Milton of Ohio, along with many nieces and nephews, and their families.
He was a good husband, father, brother, and "Uncle Kenny", who was always happy to spend time with the "kids".
A funeral service with military honors was held on August 13th. Burial will be held at a later date in the Delaware Veterans Cemetery, Bear, DE.
In lieu of flowers please contribute to the USO or any charity of your choice.
For online condolences please visit Daniels-Hutchison.com