Kenneth Wayne Richmond

Kenneth Wayne Richmond was born April 19, 1934 in Boone, IA, the oldest of three children of Francis Wayne and Eula Mae (Garvin) Richmond. Kenny passed away Saturday, February 3, 2018, peacefully surrounded by his loved ones.
Kenny lived a full and quality life. He was the most devoted son, brother, spouse, father and grandfather. He graduated from Boone High School at 16 years old and attended classes at Drake University. At 18, he enlisted in the Army National Guard. He was a gunnery sergeant with 12 years of service. During this time, he was chosen and passed clearance by the Pentagon to serve as the head of security for Nikita Khrushchev’s infamous visit to the State of Iowa, specifically Garst Family Farms. At this same time he was employed as a lineman for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company where he met his wife Jeri.
In 1954 he married Jeri at First Methodist Church in Boone, IA. During their 61 years of marriage they were blessed with their beautiful family and many friends. Ken’s fondest memories were with those he enjoyed most and much laughter.
After several promotions and transfers between Winterset and West Des Moines he became a District Manager and retired after 32 years of service. From there he and Jeri moved to Corning to own and operate Ken’s Drive-In, the best broasted chicken and soft serve ice cream in southern Iowa. The two sold the restaurant and lived happily ever after with dear friends.
Ken pleasured in family gatherings, including his mother’s annual all family birthday celebration, holidays and family trips every year with Dan and Deb, to guys night at the Corning Golf and Country Club to daily pitch parties at The Pub. Ken’s volunteerism included his love for the Boy Scouts as the Scout Leader for the Winterset Boy Scout troop, supporter of local fire fighters and police departments, member of the Lions Club, American Legion, and proud life member of the Masonic Lodge, Za-Ga-Zig Shrine, and Order OF The Eastern Star.
Left to cherish his memory are his daughters Debbie Sears and Denise McElderry, his 3 grandchildren Chad (Gina) McElderry, Lyndsey (Dave Casaceli), and Kendra (John Marshall Jr.), 5 great grandchildren; David III, John III, Lucy, Rose, and Frankie, and his mother Eula, sister Shirley (Pete Peterson), brother Gary (Kay) and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, his wife Jeri and best friend Dan Sears.