Arthur Rhea Kenyon

Arthur Rhea Kenyon was born March 26, 1922 in Chenango Forks New York to Ivan and Marjorie (Totten) Kenyon. He passed away at his home in Renton on December 11, 2008.He served in WWII as a bombardier and when, at age 20, he returned to his parent’s home in upstate New York, he rebuilt a small plane in their barn and then flew it to the West coast where he always knew he wanted to live. He bought a park like parcel of property in King County in 1952 and worked as a mechanic for United Airlines at SeaTac until he saved enough money to buy the Pan Abode cedar log home kit he wanted. It took years to get the King County property (on the border of what is now Newcastle) annexed into the City of Renton. He then built his home in 1980 and retired there. Art has generously gifted this property to the City of Renton which they were happy to accept on the condition that Art set forth in his will; that it be undeveloped so all the tall trees he protected for 60 years there will continue to stand. The park will provide Renton with access to the May Creek corridor trail system. This is where the old coal train used to run from the Newcastle mine to Renton before the tracks were taken up. Art loved flying and flew often out of the Enumclaw Airport up until 2000 when he finally sold his last small plane. His companion of 20 years Karen Dobson will remain in Art’s home on the property in Renton. Art has cousins in New York and California. His younger brother Donald did not return from WWII. His younger sister Irene died soon after birth. Art will be laid to rest next to his parents in Buckley, WA. Art’s words were few, wise and true. He followed the adage of the late John Wayne: “Talk low, talk slow and don’t say too much”.