He was born on December 30, 1946, in Hodgenville, Kentucky to the late Avery and Mary “Louise” Smith Gaines.
Kenny served in the United States Air Force, where he toured for four years, including Spain and Turkey. After his military service, he worked as a manager for Lowe’s, and then as a commercial estimator with a contracting business. Kenny was a passionate and lifelong Kentucky Wildcats fan who enjoyed golfing and fishing. Kenny strummed a guitar every day and filled the lives of those who knew him with song.
Kenny was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Walter Gaines and Linda Rue.
Survivors include his loving wife, Charlotte Meredith Gaines of Elizabethtown; one daughter, Susan (Thomas) Laehn of Iowa; and two grandchildren, Sophia (7) and Felix (1).
The funeral will be held at Brown Funeral Home in Elizabethtown on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 11:00am with Pastor Neil Janes officiating.
Burial follows in Elizabethtown Memorial Gardens.
Visitation will be held at Brown Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 from 5:00pm – 7:00pm and continue on Wednesday after 9:30am.
Condolences may be expressed online at brownfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or St. Jude’s Children Hospital.
