Kenneth Elwood Warren
February 27, 1947 – November 12, 2010
In loving memory of Kenneth Elwood Warren age 63 of Dryden, who passed away on Friday November 12th, 2010 at The Dryden Regional Health Centre after a courageous battle with MSA.
Ken is survived by his wife of 42 years Peggy, his sons Scott (Marcy) and Sean (Renee) both of Dryden, grandchildren; Aaron, Reese, Skylar, Reegan and Aysha, sisters Hazel (John) Enrici of Chicago, IL, Billy Kay (Rudy) Kunze of Lakeland, FL, several brother & sister in laws and numerous nieces and nephews.
Ken was predeceased by his parents Elwood and Ruth Warren, four nephews Jason Wilson, Mike and Brad Rushak and Mark Ainis and two nieces Desiree Wilson and Kim Winters.
Kenny was born on February 27th, 1947 in Logans Port, Indiana, USA. He attended Roosevelt Military Academy for one year in 1964 and then graduated from North High School in Evansville, IN in 1967. While working at his parent’s tourist resort in Nestor Falls, ON, Kenny met and married the love of his life Peggy Wilson in 1967.
Kenny & Peggy loved working at the family owned and operated Black Bear Camp in Nestor Falls, ON. He loved the outdoors fishing and hunting with the guests and especially enjoyed his times on the lake guiding for the Americans on Lake of The Woods and Crow Lake. Kenny loved everything about the camp, he loved the camaraderie with the guests, working from sun up till sun down and he was an expert at the fish cleaning table. His most memorable times were spent at Black Bear with his family and friends.
In 1969 after closing up camp Ken & Peggy moved to Florida to live and that is where he was drafted for the war. Kenny served in the United States Military in the Vietnam war from May 1969 – May 1970. He was point man in the 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry, 199th LIB, (also known as the Iron Sides). The Army Commendation Medal was presented to Specialist Four Kenneth E Warren of the United States Army for meritorious achievement on December 7, 1969. A lot of people took for granted that “Freedom is Free” but it isn’t. Kenny always said, “Freedom comes with a heavy price”. He served in Vietnam because he believed that everyone has the right to “Freedom”.
After Kenny finished his tour of duty the family lived throughout the USA & Canada finally settling in Dryden, ON in 1976. This is where Kenny began his career on the Pulp machine at the Dryden Pulp & Paper Mill and he worked for 28 years until retiring on January 1st, 2004.
Kenny enjoyed coaching his two sons in hockey and baseball and loved to watch his grandchildren at whatever sport they played. He loved to take his grandchildren on four wheeler rides in the bush and he and Peggy would take them on adventures and ride for miles with them when they could. He looked forward to hunting season so he could get together with the hunting crew and would always come back with lots of stories to tell even if the stories didn’t involve getting a moose.
Kenny loved his family dearly, his children and grandchildren were the most important things in his life. Kenny was a man who would do anything for anyone no matter what it was, he was always there to help, you just had to ask. He treated all people equally and never saw anyone as a stranger and everyone was welcomed with open arms into his home. His strength and humour is an inspiration for all of us; a true example of how to live. Kenny’s motto until the end was “Its gotta go!”
A funeral service will be held to celebrate Kenny’s life on Monday November 22nd, 2010 at 2:00pm with Pastor Brian Eschbach officiating at the Dryden Community Funeral Home at 249 Grand Trunk Avenue. Cremation has taken place and interment of ashes will take place at a later date. Honourary pallbearers are Milton Davis, Glen Ovenstone, Richard Lavoie, Brad Fradsham, Dave Hackman, Pat Kay, Roger Lougheed and Bill Pattie.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Legion Poppy Fund through the Dryden Community Funeral Home, 249 Grand Trunk Avenue, Dryden, ON, P8N 2X3. Condolences may be emailed to dcfh@drytel.net. subject heading Warren.
