Leonard David Kennon Jr.

over ten years. He passed away peacefully in his sleep at St. Catherine’s Laboure Manor in Jacksonville, Florida, on April 25, 2016.

His devotion to his family and his firm belief in God supported him in his struggle and ultimately gave him peace.

Leonard was born to the late Leonard David Kennon, Sr. and Courtney Anne Twiddy Kennon on January 31, 1933 in Norfolk, Va. His parents led the way in preparing him for a life of devotion and dedication to serving Christ. His mother retired from a sewing factory and his father served twenty-eight years in the Navy. His father was stationed on the USS CURTISS in Pearl Harbor and lived at Hickam Field during the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Leonard was almost nine years old and had very vivid memories of that day and loved to tell the story to anyone who would listen! His favorite recollection about that day was seeing a rainbow. His father directed his mom to “take the kids and run for the hills!” as he went to check on his ship in the harbor. As they headed for the hills, he looked back and saw a rainbow arched over the ships in the harbor. His mom told him “that’s the rainbow God gave Noah, daddy’s going to be safe”. God protected all of them that day and his memories of that time are what motivated him to pray daily for all men in the military.

After graduating from Emmanuel College in Franklin Springs Ga, Leonard followed in his father’s footsteps and served proudly in the Navy for thirty years, retiring as Chief Petty Officer in July of 1982. He then continued his career at NAS Jacksonville working another eleven years with NADEP for a total of forty-one years of service working for his government. He had a very distinguished career and received several awards and accolades. He loved to travel and being in the military afforded him the opportunity to go and see places he otherwise might not have. The Navy was his life. “I was born in the Navy, I was raised by the Navy, I was taken care of by the Navy”.

He was an active and dedicated member of Evangel Temple Assembly of God and often volunteered with the church to go and build or repair churches so that God’s love could be shared abroad. He helped build churches in Japan, Belize, Guatemala, and Panama. He also enjoyed his missionary work with RV MAPS (Mission America Placement Service). He dedicated his time and used his wood-working skills to enhance the growth and building of churches and ministry facilities throughout the United States.

Leonard was survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Mavis Kennon, his children, David Kennon, Dennis (Earliene) Kennon, Diane (Billy) Thompson, Dale (Peggy) Kennon, Didi (Patrick) DePirro, his step-daughters Michelle Malave and Janet (Danny) Sykes, twenty grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren. He was also survived by two sisters, Wilma Kennon and Alice Kennon-Lester. He was preceded in death by his parents and a grandson, Wayne McMillan.

Anyone who knew Leonard, knew he loved God, his family, and sweets. In his last days, Alzheimer’s may have taken away his ability to verbalize exactly what he wanted to say, but he sure did react to music and the mention of dessert! He would hum to music and if you asked him if he was ready for dessert he would respond, “Well of course!” He would also say “I love you” and would give you a kiss goodnight. His marriage to Mavis was a true testament to “till death do us part”. She went above and beyond to try and make him happy and comfortable in his last days and always put his needs above hers. He loved her desserts…especially her coconut cake! He also never forgot his love for God and that just proved how strong his faith in his heavenly father truly was. Let’s celebrate that his memory and health has been restored and most of all, put a smile on your face and imagine his response when everyone in heaven asks him this question, “How are you Leonard?” His response? “Better than I deserve!”

A viewing will take place April 28, 2016 at Hardage-Giddens Funeral home on 729 South Edgewood Ave. Visitors are invited to come between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. A celebration of his life has been scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 29, 2016 at Evangel Temple Assembly of God, with grandson Rev. Bill Kennon and Pastors Cecil and Garry Wiggins officiating. He will be laid to rest immediately following at Riverside Memorial Park. Donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the Veteran’s Ministry of Evangel Temple Assembly of God. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Hardage-Giddens Edgewood Funeral Home, 729 South Edgewood Avenue Jacksonville, FL 32205 (904) 388-2711 www.hardage-giddensedgewood.com