Kennon Marvin Howell

Kennon M. Howell, age 94, peacefully passed away on Friday, August 9, 2019 surrounded by love ones. Kennon was born Sunday, February 1, 1925 in Fairfield, Alabama. He is preceded in death by parents, Fletcher Bedford Howell and Mary Alice May; sons, Rodney Kennon, David Leon; brothers, James, Fletcher Bedford, Jr., Charles Juan; and sister Mary Katherine Williams. Survived by wife of 74 years, Martha Bell Bridenstine Howell; son Stanley Howell (Linda); daughters, Jo Ann Howell (Barbara), Barbara Jean Stump (Charles); bother-in-law Rod Bridenstine; grandchildren, Kimberly Jean Howell (Joe Chavez), James Dennis Howell (Serena), Travis Wayne Howell (Valla), Debra Alvarado (Angel), Steven Stewart Howell (Christina), Amanda Byers (Frank); great-grandchildren, Eric Adam Chavez, Savannah Chavez, Christopher Moya, Sammy Alvarado, Elizabeth Alvarado, Weston Howell, Turley Howell, Rhette Howell, Annabelle Howell and numerous nieces and nephews. He moved to Albuquerque with his family when he was two years old.

He quit school in the 9th grade to get a job to help support his family. He went to Oregon for a short time, where he learned how to weld. This later began his career As a welder. Kennon came home and found a job with civil service as a messenger carrier. As WWII escalated he lied about his age to get into the Navy. The USS HOLLAND was the ship he was on. This ship was a tender ship for submarines. He was all over the Pacific, Guam, Okinawa and Japan to name a few. While in the Navy he received his GED.

After getting out of the Navy he started working at Manzano base in a secret location nestled in the mountains. He worked as a welder/fabrication, where he worked with the Atomic program. He helped design and fabricate a street painter. He received an award for his part of the job.

Kennon left Manzano base to start the missile museum on Kirkland AFB. He would drive around the states to get the missiles for the museum. He designed displays, and stands for these missiles. After working at the various bases Kennon retired and and started his own business, the Metal Mender was formed where he made bumpers and trailers among other things.

A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, August 20, 2019 at, 10:00 a.m., with a visitation 1 hour prior at FRENCH-University. Interment will follow at Santa Fe National Cemetery.