Capt. Orlis E. Kennicutt, USMC Ret.

Capt. Orlis Elwin (Kenny) Kennicutt, USMC, Ret.July 15, 1929 – November 2, 2017Orlis (Kenny) Kennicutt, 88, of Orange Park, FL passed away with his loving family by his side on Thursday, November 2nd, 2017 at Haven Hospice Care Center in Orange Park. He was born in Barber County, Kansas on July 15, 1929 to the late Roma Elsie and Charles Thomas Kennicutt. After graduating from Hazelton High School, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1947 at 18, was commissioned as an officer in 1953 and served 22 years, retiring as a Captain. He served in the Korean War and after the war as an Advisor to the Korean Marine Corps. He also completed a tour of duty in Japan. He was stationed in San Diego, China Lake and Twenty-Nine Palms in California, as well as Marine Corps headquarters in Washington DC, Camp Lejeune, NC and Albany, GA.After retiring from the Marine Corps, Orlis entered a second career in the trucking industry, in maintenance supervision, before his final retirement in 1994.Known as “Papa” to his grandchildren, he enjoyed family gatherings. He was an avid music fan, with a large record collection covered many genres, but leaned heavily toward his favorite Western swing, big band and traditional country artists. He loved to read and was a history buff, with a interest in Civil War and military history. His hobbies also included genealogy. Orlis was a Mason and a lifetime member of the Kiowa Masonic Lodge in Kansas.Orlis is survived by his wife Frances Nash Kennicutt, their daughter Linda Kennicutt Mowers and her husband Barry, son Thomas L. Kennicutt and his wife Debbie, four grandchildren: Sarah, Thomas, John and Emily, and two great-grandchildren Judah and Alex. He is also survived by his brother Herb Kennicutt of Norman, Oklahoma, sister Ina Hohmann of Houston, Texas, and brother Bill Kennicutt of Blanchard, Oklahoma.A service will be held with military honors at the Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32218, on Friday, November 17th at 11:30 a.m.The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 18th between the hours of 1 and 5 p.m. at an open house to be held at the Kennicutt home in Orange Park, Florida. Memorial Donations may be made to Haven Hospice, or to www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.