Tom Chase McKenney

Tom Chase McKenney

(November 30, 1930 -- November 12, 2024)

Crittenden County resident Tom McKenney, born in Lexington, KY in 1930, was a graduate of the University of Kentucky (with a bachelor's degree in agriculture) and of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (with a master's degree in science). He served in the US Marine Corps, reaching the rank of LtCol, serving in both Korea and Vietnam. Col. McKenney taught at the USMC amphibious warfare school and was a seminal member of Test Unit 1. He was the first Marine to complete the US Army's paratrooper program at Fort Campbell and was one of the earliest Force Recon. Marines (Marine Special Forces, now called Marine Raiders). McKenney taught biology and botany at Greenville High School in Ohio, at Paducah Junior College in Kentucky, and at Francis Marion College (South Carolina). After being disabled in Vietnam, McKenney raised beef cattle in Crittenden County, became a Bible teacher, and founded a small Christian teaching ministry (Words for Living Ministries). He and his wife, Marty, led the biannual Believers' Retreat for 30 years. He was involved in short term missions in Latin America and Haiti and was the author of 9 books as well as magazine articles (Biblical teaching, botany, and history). Tom was also active in the MIA/POW advocacy movement. He attended Marion Methodist Church, served in the Lion's Club, helped found the Head Start program in Crittenden County, and was instrumental in preserving the Historic African-American Cemetery in Marion. When his Bible teaching ministry closed after 45 years, McKenney donated his Biblical studies collection to the Crittenden County Public Library. 

Tom made friends everywhere he went, often referring to a person he knew as "one of the finest men (or women) he ever met," and he meant it. Tom was honorable, hard-working, and generous. He thought that what you believe should have an effect on how you live your life, and he tried to follow the biblical call to "do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God." He loved Jesus, and he loved the Word of God and shared this wherever the need arose and the Holy Spirit led.

 He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha ("Marty") McKenney, his parents, Garnett and Theresa McKenney, his sisters, Martha Bach and Mildred McKeown, his brother, Dr. Jerry McKenney, and two nephews, John McKenney and Joel Bach.

 Col. McKenney is survived by his children—Melissa (Fran) Walker, Jefferson (Rosanne) McKenney, Susan (Pat) Jarvis, and Sally (Joe) Mahoney—and by 12 grandchildren—Sarah, Andrew, Nathaniel, Gabriel, Hannah, Kate, Elizabeth, Susanna, Rebecca, Margaret, Rachel, and Thomas—and by 11 great-grandchildren and many beloved nieces, nephews, and extended family. 

 Services are scheduled for 11:00 AM on Saturday November 23, 2024 at Marion Methodist Church with interment to follow at Mapleview Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled from 5:00-8:00 PM Friday November 22, 2024 at Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion, KY and at the church on Saturday from 9:00 AM until service time. 

 Donations may be made to The Cornerstone Foundation (9032 Woolmarket Rd., Biloxi, MS), to New Life for Girls of Dover, PA (PO Box 170, Dover, PA 17315-9985), or to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.