Kenneth Dale Nena 79, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, passed away Sunday, July 25, 2021 peacefully after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was born on September 13, 1941, in Hartford, Arkansas to Charlie “Chap” Nena and Pauline Branham Nena. He attended Victory Church in Fort Smith. He served in the 184th division of the Air Guard in photo reconnaissance.
Ken began his work history in furniture at Ballman Cummings and Ward Desoto. He transitioned into the trucking industry as a dispatcher/load coordinator in which he worked for many years. Companies included ABF, CPI, Carco CCC, Macsteel, USA Truck, and C. Bean. He retired twice going back to work as a delivery driver for pharmaceutical companies and auto parts with Bumper to Bumper with Fort Smith Auto Service Center being his favorite stop.
He is survived by his loving wife, Gail of 54 years; one daughter, Celesta Giles; son in law, Mason; two grandsons, Logan and Conner; one brother, Jerry Nena and wife, Tena of Huntington, Arkansas; a sister in law, Donna Nena of Mountainburg, Arkansas; one niece, Dana Haggard and husband, Kelly of Springfield, Missouri; a nephew, Dustin Nena and wife, Linda of Greenwood, Arkansas; their four children, Cody, and wife Morgan, Charlie, Taylor and Sarah Nena; a niece Jennifer Jones of Cedarville, Arkansas and her family; a nephew, Jeremy Satterfield of Mexico as well as many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Larry Nena of Mountainburg, Arkansas.
Funeral service will be Thursday, July 29 at 10:00 a.m. in McConnell Funeral Home Chapel in Greenwood, Arkansas. Viewing will be Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home where the family will visit with friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The family will have a private burial at Hartford Memorial Park in Hartford, Arkansas.
To sign an online guestbook, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.
