HERB VERNON KENNICUTT
March 22, 1924 to August 10, 2023
Norman, Oklahoma

Herb's Obituary

Herb Vernon Kennicutt was born on a farm near Kiowa Kansas on March 22, 1924, the oldest of four children. He entered eternal rest on August 10, 2023.

Herb graduated from Kiowa High School in May 1943. He served in the U.S. Navy from July 22, 1943, to April 22, 1946. During his time in the U.S. Navy, he was aboard the USS. Willmarth, Destroyer Escort# 638, in the 40^th Division of Destroyer Escorts Pacific Fleet. The crew earned 6 campaign medals and 5 bronze stars. Herb served aboard the USS Willmarth from March 19,1944 to February 25, 1946. He received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy at the Naval Separation Center, in Norman OK on April 22, 1946.

Herb went to his folk's home north of Hazelton, Kansas. In June of 1946, he joined a crew doing custom wheat harvesting. He was one of three truck drivers. They followed the wheat harvest through Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and finished in Shelby Montana in September of 1946. He returned home, and in January of 1947 moved to Wichita, Kansas.

In January 1947, he enrolled in Wichita Business College where he studied accounting and associate studies. In February 1948, he moved to Kansas City, Missouri to work for Continental Electric Company, working as a credit and claims clerk and soon afterwards met his soon-to-be wife, Margaret Benton.

Herb and Margaret were married on September 4, 1948, in Kansas City, MO. To this union two children were born, a daughter who was still born, and their son David, who preceded them in death.

Herb and Margaret celebrated over 65 years of marriage. During their time together, they lived in numerous cities in Kansas, Gallup, New Mexico, and El Reno, OK, before settling down in Oklahoma City.

From 1950 to 1987, Herb spent most of his working career at various lumber companies as a salesman, auditor, and manager, thru out Kansas, Gallup, New Mexico, and El Reno, OK. 

In 1989, after two years of retirement, he applied for a part-time job at Britton Lumber and Supply Company. He worked as a store clerk for 10 years. In March 1998, he retired permanently.

Herb is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He is also a dual member of 60 years as of August 2013 with A.F. & A.M. Masons with membership in Cosmos Lodge #278, Kiowa, KS and Britton Lodge #434, Oklahoma City. Herb and Margaret were host and hostess to the USS Willmarth's crew’s 10^th reunion in August 1998 held in Oklahoma City.

Herb and Margaret enjoyed the company of their neighbors and would participate in the block parties they would have. After Margaret passed, his neighbors were there to check on him and run errands for him when needed. In 2015 he moved to Norman’s Veterans Center in Norman, OK where he immediately made friends with other veterans and staff members who loved and respected him.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his sister-in-law Martha Kennicutt and Francis Kennicutt, a host of nieces and nephews, his wonderful neighbors especially Kitty and Jeff Asberry and his veteran friends and the staff at Norman’s Veterans Center.

Herb is proceeded in death by his parents Charles and Roma; his wife Margaret; his infant daughter, his son David; his brothers Orlis and Bill Kennicutt; sister Ina Hohmann; and sister in-law Donna Kennicutt.

Services will be Thursday, September 21, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Demuth Funeral Home, 1145 W. Britton Rd., Oklahoma City, Ok. Interment will be Friday, September 22, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. at Riverview Cemetery in Kiowa, Kansas.