Dear Editor:
I would like to take a moment to remember Kenneth L. Russell, Jr., who tragically passed away Saturday, March 11th, 2006.
Kenny was a good friend of mine in middle school. We would terrorize our health teacher and annoy others by constantly talking. Kenny was the guy who could always light up my day without saying a word. All he would have to do was smile and I would be a happy camper.
Kenny was a big help to me in middle school. I was the complete opposite of “the mold” in middle school. I was not athletic, super smart, or anywhere near them. I wasn’t overly pretty, at least I didn’t think so, thus I felt like a bit of an outcast. Even some of my best friends had temporarily shut me out.
Kenny didn’t shut me out. Kenny got me laughing every day and talked to me if I looked lonely.
Unfortunately Kenny and I parted our ways freshman year when he left school and got a job. I stayed in school, trying to make my own path too. I only saw Kenny every so often after that. But no matter if I saw him in Wal-Mart, a ball game, or some other random place, he would say hi, do some chit-chat and hug me before he walked away. He could still make my day after all these years.
I’m so glad to have known Kenny for the short time I did. He was a great guy and I know that when I go to heaven, he’ll be sitting next to a pond or a river, holding a can of something that we aren’t legally allowed to drink on earth, fishing poles already cast out, sayin’ “ ‘Bout time you got here, Red,” with that big ol’ grin that only Kenny can give.
Chrissy Johnson
Near East Enterprise