In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepmother, Mary Kanode; stepsister, Linda Wormauld and stepbrother, Ronnie Osborne.
He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Linda B. Kanode; daughters, Cindy Brodie (Stan) and Teresa Kanode (Kenny Gardner); stepson, Scott Chitwood (Melanie Porter); grandchildren, Zack Brodie (Samantha), Jenna Phillips (Casey), Karlee Pendleton (Jake) and Ryan Hedrick; sisters, Barbara Durbin (Mike) and Bonnie Drake (Jim); stepsisters, Lynn McGhee and Becky Adkins.
Kermit had a very accomplished 24-year career with the Martinsville Police Department. He joined the department in 1966 as a patrolman and worked his way up through the ranks until his retirement as Assistant Chief of Police in 1990.
He was a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Danville Community College, a graduate of the Virginia Academy of Forensic Academy, the Southern Police Institute’s Scientific Investigation of Crime, the National FBI Academy’s Advanced Criminology School, along with many other prestigious investigative and leadership courses.
He was instrumental in forming the Department’s first Emergency Response Team and Crime Prevention Unit, both of which he coordinated for many years. He received several local and state awards recognizing his contributions to crime prevention.
Upon his retirement, he went to work at Young, Haskins, Mann and Gregory law firm as a paralegal for Attorney Jim Haskins.
Kermit was a member of Horsepasture Christian Church. Kermit loved his church and found great comfort there. He enjoyed restoring old cars, gardening and working in his yard. He had a great appreciation for wildlife and loved providing food and habitat for them.
Most of all, Kermit loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them.
A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, 2024 at McKee-Stone Funeral Home Chapel. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am and will be officiated by Pastor Kyle Thompson. Attorney Jim Haskins will also speak. Interment will follow at Roselawn Burial Park. The Martinsville Police Department Honor Guard will provide honors during the services.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Horsepasture Christian Church, 1146 Horsepasture-Price Road, Ridgeway, VA 24148 or to the Martinsville Henry County SPCA, 132 Joseph Martin Hwy, Martinsville, VA 24112.
McKee-Stone Funeral Home, Martinsville, Va. is serving the family. To express condolences on line, please visit wwwcollinsmckeestonemartinsville.com.
