Jerome Kenneth "Kenny" Findley II

J. Kenneth "Kenny" Findley II of New York City, New York, was born on December 27, 1979 in Houston. He lived his life to the fullest, a life that was ended too soon on August 8, 2016, due to complications following surgery. He was truly one of a kind with a unique blend of fierceness and kindness, confidence and humility, strength and gentleness. Kenny had a contagious and loving personality that made him a stranger to no one. His interest in travel and seeing the world took him on journeys spanning continents that most people only dream of, and he had been to more countries and seen more things in his short time than most people see in a lifetime. He loved the mountains, music, playing guitar, friends, family and his strong Catholic faith.

A sixth generation Texan, Sons of the American Revolution and Sons of the Republic of Texas, Kenny grew up in Tyler and attended All Saints Episcopal School. He was an Eagle Scout which started his love for the outdoors. Kenny excelled in school and attended New Mexico Military Institute and received the highest honors, the Military Order of World Wars, and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa. He continued to quench his thirst for knowledge and went on to receive his Bachelor of Arts degree from Georgetown University in Washington, DC, where he worked on Capitol Hill for Congress.

Upon graduation, driven to succeed in the most challenging real estate environment in the country, Kenny moved to New York to begin a career in commercial real estate and enrolled in the New York University Real Estate Institute. He began his career at ABS Real Estate Partners in New York City and for the next 13 years made New York his home. He excelled in real estate and moved his way up to becoming the Director of Medical Leasing at ABS Partners, and later became a Managing Director at Transwestern Commercial Services. Just recently, Kenny was recruited and accepted a position as a Director at the prestigious international real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield. His love for the city, music, people and good deals endeared him to everyone he knew. His smile, infectious laugh, big personality and love for any good adventure is remembered by everyone he knew and will be dearly missed.

Kenny was preceded in death by grandparents, Doris and Howard Hinson, Michael J. Sterlacci, and Lucia Marie Garth.

He is survived by his loving family and two loving parents, Annette and J. Kenneth Findley of Tyler and his best friend and brother, Kyle Findley of Houston; grandmother, Linda Sterlacci of Dallas; aunts and uncles, Heidi and Mike Sterlacci of Dallas; Susan and Peter Demiduk of Clearwater, Florida; and Jacqueline Findley of Gladewater; cousins Michael, Christopher and Samantha Sterlacci; Ashlee Demiduk; Wendy and Richard Ramires; and countless friends from all over the world.

A scholarship has been started in honor of Kenny's love of music. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the J. Kenneth Findley II Scholarship for Children with Musical Aspirations at the Women's Symphony League of Tyler, P.O. Box 6823, Tyler, Texas 75711.

Visitation will be held at Lloyd James Funeral Home on Thursday, August 18, 2016, from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Rosary to follow.

A celebration of his life will be held at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Friday, August 19, 2016, at 2:00 P.M. Reception to follow.