Former Mayor and Veteran Honored at Woodland Park Cemetery

photo by Cindy Valade

Carol M. Kenney was honored yesterday, at the Memorial Day Ceremony at the Woodland Park Cemetery. Kenny just passed away and was the former mayor of Woodland Park. He was a 59 year resident of Woodland Park, was born in Jefferson City, Missouri on May 16, 1926 to Samuel and Ernstine Kenney. At the age of six, his family moved to Yakima, Washington and later to Ontario, Oregon.

Drafted in December 1944 during his senior year of high school, Carol served as Pharmacists Mate 3rd Class in the Navy until June 1946. He attended Sterling College in Sterling, Kansas for two years. In 1951 he joined Western Electric (a subsidiary of AT&T) in Nampa, Idaho. His work consisted of the installation of rotary phone equipment and later microwave equipment in the Rocky Mountain States, until his retirement in 1983. Carol joined Elks Lodge 316 in Cripple Creek in 1962 becoming Exalted Ruler in 1967, and was an active member for the rest of his life. He served as Mayor of Woodland Park from 1968 until 1976. Carol was also a member of the American Legion.

Carol was a life member and a charter founder of VFW Post #6051 in Woodland Park, having helped form the post in 1978. He held a myriad of positions from Post Commander and finishing as the Post Quartermaster.

Also in attendance was David Buttery and Mayor Neil Levy