Donald Brennan Kenny

DONALD "DON" BRENNAN KENNY March 31, 1938 ~ April 13, 2016 Don Kenny, 78, passed away peacefully with his wife and close family members in Vancouver, WA on April 13th, 2016. He was born in Santa Monica, CA to Charles and Florence. Charles passed away when Don was just 16 years old which left him as the man of the house to help his mom and his two younger twin sisters, Diane and Darleen. Don graduated from Santa Monica High School and briefly attended UCLA. In 1956, he married the love of his life Sandra Canfield who also graduated from Samohi. They would have been married 60 years this September. Don's career was wide and deep. He started out managing Standard Oil stations in the Los Angeles area. After several promotions that included a stint in Alaska and Seattle, the family put down roots in Portland, OR. Don had moved up to be a regional training specialist when he decided that he had spent enough time in the corporate world. From there, he would own and operate many different businesses. Including Marcoin Bookkeeping, Burlingame Chevron, Burlingame Exxon, Multnomah Exxon, Capitol Hwy Chevron, Jantzen Beach Chevron, Newport Marina, Jantzen Beach Fuel Dock, Washougal Fuel Dock and Mill Plain Chevron. His one venture into an invention and patent was his floating boat hull scrubber. He also served on the Board of Directors of The Oregon Gasoline Dealer's Association. Don attributed his success to surrounding himself with likeminded business owners, putting in a full day's work and the support he had from Sandie. He brought all of his children into the business at some point and it made for interesting dinner talk. He sold his last station in 1997. Don had a passion for camping, fishing and community service. He would never turn down a chance to fish with his friends and family. Once a year he would make a run by himself to Lake Shasta where he would fish and camp for a week. This was his recharge time. He joined Rotary in 1981 and served as President of the Rotary Club of North Portland. He also served as a Team Leader for a Rotary Exchange Tour to Nigeria in 1990 and served as the Assistant District Governor in 1997. Don and Sandie moved to Sun River in 2000 and then to Gresham, OR until their recent move to Vancouver to live closer to the family. Don will always be remembered by his family as a loving, caring man with a hard work ethic, and a very playful side. At any occasion he could strike up a tune of an old silly song he knew from his Boy Scout years. His sense of humor was always kind and thoughtful. Friends will remember Don as an honest and faithful friend that they could go to for advice or just to join them for a drink or a cup of coffee. Don is survived by his wife, Sandie; children, David Kilkenny (Sue), Leanne Kenny, Lynda Floyd; grandchildren, Daniel, Melissa, Amanda, Michael, Tyler, Meghan, Dylan; great-grandchildren, Nigel, Verona, Aiden, Jack and Violet; and sisters, Diane McDowell and Darleen Weisz (Del). A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Sat., April 30th at 3p.m., Evergreen Memorial Gardens, Vancouver, WA. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Rotary International in Don's name. Please sign his guest book at: www.columbian.com/obits.

Donald Brennan Kenny

March 31, 1938 - April 13, 2016