Kenneth Easterly

Kenneth G. “Kenny” Easterly died with his children by his side on Tuesday, December 29, 2020, in Wichita at the age of 78. He was born the son of Kenneth W. and Gretta M. (Bowers) Easterly on October 11, 1942, in Wichita and was a lifelong resident of Wellington. On December 27, 1961, Kenny and Barbara L. “Bobbie” (Cox) Easterly were united in marriage in Wichita. Together they celebrated nearly 59 years of marriage, and Kenny joined his bride in heaven a mere 25 days after she arrived there. Kenny proudly served for two years in the United States Navy. He was a former law enforcement officer, and he retired from a 35-year career as the Chief Radio Dispatcher for the Kansas Turnpike Authority.

Survivors include his son, Shawn Easterly of Udall; daughter, Shannon Easterly Wright and husband Phil of Shawnee; grandchildren: Chelsea Tomlin and husband Jeff of Wellsville; Cassandra Easterly of Oxford; Chayse Easterly and wife Coty of Wellington; Candyce Easterly of Wichita; Chloe Easterly and fiancé Joel Brown of Oxford; and Schaefer Wright of Shawnee; great-grandchildren: Kensley Avina, Sailor Avina and Hyde Easterly all of Wellington; brother Ernie Easterly and wife Kathy of Wellington; sister Susie Rayl of Wichita; sister-in-law Deanna Brotton of Wellington; as well as his beloved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, and his granddaughter, Bowen Wright.

Throughout his life, Kenny was a natural athlete who participated in multiple sports including softball, tennis, volleyball, running, bowling, golf, and archery. He was an avid photographer after having learned this skill in the Navy. One of his greatest loves was riding motorcycles with his best friend of many years, Bill Kilgore. In his later years, Kenny honed his interests by participating in a competitive pistol shooting league with his grandson and several close friends and volunteering his time at the Chisholm Trail Museum. He especially enjoyed having coffee multiple times a week with his brother and several close friends.

Kenny was a devoted husband who took exceptional and compassionate care of his beloved wife throughout their life together, and especially as she navigated her six-year journey with cancer. He was immensely proud of his children and grandchildren and seldom missed one of their school activities or special life events. He was always ready to lend a helping hand to family, friends, neighbors, or anyone else in need. He was a stoic man until you knew him, and then you were blessed to experience his intelligence, empathy, wit, and affectionate teasing. He was greatly loved, and he will be greatly missed.

His family understands that attending services may be of concern to some considering the current health climate, and they fully respect friends’ and family’s decisions of whether to join them in person or in spirit. If attending in person, please adhere to the public gathering guidelines by wearing a face mask and social distancing. Otherwise, attire is not of concern for visitation or services.

A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 1 to 7 p.m., Sunday, January 3, 2021, with the family present from 5 to 7 p.m.

Funeral services for Kenny will begin at 11 a.m., Monday, January 4, 2021, at the First Christian Church, Wellington. A live stream of his services will be available via the church’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/discipleswellington/

Interment will follow at Prairie Lawn Cemetery, Wellington.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Kenny’s name with the Cancer Center of Kansas, 507 East 16th Street, Wellington 67152. Contributions may be mailed or left with the funeral home.

Share a memory, leave condolences or sign his digital tribute wall at www.cornejofuneralhome.com.