Kenneth Joe Birdsong

Kenny Joe Birdsong, age 61 was born April 26, 1956 to Bob and Betty. Ken left us Sunday, July 23, 2017. He fought a hard battle with cancer, but lost the war. He was born and raised in Merced, California, where he attended Ada Givens, Hoover, Merced High School and Merced College. From there he proudly served in the United States Air Force as an MP watching over nuclear missile silos in Grand Forks ND. After serving he returned home to Merced where he met his wife Christina Arnold and they were blessed with two children, Christopher and Kimberly.

Kenny spent most of his career as an electrician like his dad Bob. Working for the city of Forth Worth TX, before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada and continuing his career for Silver State Electric. While living there Kenny and Christina raised their two children to adults. During those times many great memories were made for the family. Ken and Tina divorced but remained good friends till the end. He moved back to his home town of Merced where he could be with his parents, old friends and relatives…..and old memories.

Kenny really enjoyed spending time with his family, friends, his best companion “Princess” his dog and cars. He was a very generous man and would do anything he could to help. He had a great sense of humor and could tell stories and jokes for ages. Among those stories was his old hero racecar driver Rod Poor in the 25M. Kenny got to live his dream of owning and racing the purple and white 25M and winning in the 2016 Sportsman championship. Kenny spent the last of his years just living life and having a good ol’ time racing where he met another woman he truly loved, Laurie Richards whom he was engaged to when he passed.

Kenny sure did not live a boring life. He made the best of it between friends, family, fast cars and career. He will be truly missed by many. If there was a gathering of people and Kenny was there, it then became a party.

Arrangements under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, Merced, CA.