Kenny loved sitting on the front porch and watching the world go by; the neighbors going to and from work, responding to Kenny’s wave with a toot of their horn; the jets with their contrails against a high blue sky,  the occasional hawks, squirrels and deer; the storm clouds and the firey sunset glows over the tree tops.  These were some of Kenny’s favorite past times in recent years. 

I can hear him now, whenever anybody came up toward the porch, with a big smile and loud  COME ON UP AND GRAB YOURSELF A SEAT and I can hear him when they leave,  COME BACK ANY TIME, YOU'RE ALWAYS WELCOME.  


I recently came across an envelope from Kevin or Craig, I'm not sure which of you sent it, the envelope contained pages from a website that was set up to memorialize and record Maryland Street Racing History and there were entries for Kenny Spencer one of "The Players" in Maryland Street Racing history of the late 50s thru the early 70s. One entry read in part, "Kenny Spencer is best known for his streak of match wins in his factory 1969 440 white cuda. His was the street machine to beat from 1969 - 1973."

If you knew Kenny, you knew he was very proud of of his service in the Korean War.... Everyone will forever remember him with his Korean War Vet hat which he wore most of the time. Although I asked him several times about his Korean experience, he recounted very little... one memory that stuck with him, he said, upon his arrival he remembers rows of dead soldiers lying on the ground and remembers the 25 below zero temperature at nighty while in the trenches in the mountains. He provided no details, he just shook his head and said “it was horrible”
 
I'm sure the war took an emotional toll on Kenny.  About ten years ago, one thanksgiving, we took Kenny and my mother to the Korean War memorial in Washington DC. Its a beautiful memorial. While walking around, a father noticed Kenny and his Korean War Vet hat. He approached with his two daughters. He asked one of his daughters to ask Kenny if he was in the Korean war, which she did... in response, Kenny seemed speechless … and then he just cried... he could not say anything, he just cried. 
Needless to say, he had a lot of painful memories bottled up inside from the Korean war, also known as the Forgotten War. 

Look for the final part of this tribute on another post

I met Kenny about 30 years when he started dating my mother and got to know him very well over the past 10 years as his and my mother's health began to require more support. Kenny was consistently warm, positive, friendly and sociable, but generally speaking he was a man of few words.  Therefore it wasn't easy to identify his deep thoughts, values or feelings.  When asked, How are you doing Kenny ?  Never once in the 30 years I knew him, did he say anything other than "I feel fine."

But through his actions and the look on his face, one could sometimes glimpse pain, physical and emotional and I would come to understand  that his values were those of a good and honest man; a man who was always happy to lend a helping hand to a neighbor or anyone who may have momentarily crossed his path; he was an unprejudiced man; a man who didn't drink or smoke; who marveled at the beauty and wonders of nature and of mankind.  Kenny was creative and frequently pointed out images and beauty he saw in the clouds, in the bark of a tree or in the grain on a piece of lumber . He loved birds and the sounds of all animals.  He had pet parrots who provided amusement and company and sometimes just drove you nuts with their squawking.  Kenny loved my mother Dot and he was always kind and good to her and as her health issues grew, so grew his tolerance and loving kindness to her. She misses you Kenny. She brought your special pillow for you to rest your head on. 

It was also very clear that Kenny loved his two sons, Kevin and Keith very much, he loved his grandson Craig and his great grandsons, Cole and Chase.  Beside his favorite spot on the sofa, Kenny kept  a large supply of the photos and cards they frequently sent to him. He looked at them often; I saw that to Kenny, those photos and cards were a source of pride and joy.   

Look for the remainder of this tribute on another post


My dad in my younger days, I remembered he loved street racing and listening to Nascar on the radio before it was on tv! Always working & cleaning his cars.  He had a excellent memory & great sense of direction which I don't have!!!  I know Dot was one a great companion for my dad.  He will be missed.

My dad in my younger days, I remembered he loved street racing and listening to Nascar on the radio before it was on tv! Always working & cleaning his cars.  He had a excellence memory & great sense of direction which I don't have!!!  I know Dot was one a great companion for my dad.  He will be missed.

Kenny was a great brother always.  During our childhood he was a prankster.  I will always remember him tying a rope on the foot of the bed my sister and I were sleeping in and then brought the other end to his bed across the room.  He then pulled the rope moving our bed scaring  the heck out of us.  He also put turtles in our bed, rigged up things to shock us,  and always grabbed a big spoon to eat the cookie dough while we were baking.  But he was also a loving brother and friend throughout the years.  You could always depend on him.  Kenny was loved and will be missed.

I met Kenny 10 years ago, through Jim. I was always brought to a smile when I saw him, because he was so 'tickled' to see us. He loved to share his stories of his Mother's beautiful garden and he painted a picture  of his childhood with her pies and jams and floral arrangements, that was like watching a beautiful movie in slow motion. Kenny loved his Mom and his childhood and was always in touch with it. Of course, he was devoted to his "Dot" and it was endearing how they held hands and looked out for one another. Kenny loved sweets and would always say, when offered a cake or piece of pie " I wouldn't turn that down!". Whether it was a ride up the mountain to see the Fall leaves or a dinner in Culpepper ( shrimp, please! for Kenny), Kenny was happy to be along for the ride. He shared his love for his boys and grandkids with me, as well. When he came to Washington, one Thanksgiving, he was thrilled to go to the Korean War Memorial on the Mall and when people would come up to him and 'thank' him for his 'service', his eyes would brim up and then he'd smile and say 'You're welcome'.  Thanks, Kenny for being such a strong and gentle soul. 

Kenny was a good friend from Quinn Freight Lines and later on as my mother's companion,he always had a big smile and a hearty laugh. I will never forget the time we got locked in the distillery by mistake on Christmas Eve and I asked him what we were going to do and he told me we would just relax and collect triple time at midnight.

OBITUARIO

Kenneth Mason Spencer

9 marzo, 1930 – 7 septiembre, 2018

Teague Funeral Service

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