I thought that it would be nice to pass along the program from yesterday's memorial. First of all we had his name wrong but that probably only adds to his legend.
Kenneth "Bearfoot Kenny" Joel Gray, 63 of Jamestown, Colorado died July 17, 2020 of complications related to colon cancer. Kenny was born August 4, 1956 the son of Mickey and HHerb Gray. At 23 he traveled across the country, landed in Colorado, and made his home along the Peak-to-Peak in the mountains of Nederland, Gold Hill, Ward and Jamestown.
Kenny was a talented auto mechanic who was well known by his neighbors, mountain community and touring musicians for his ability to swiftly diagnose and repair any problem on any vehicle (unless it was a German auto). He was known to have hauled a Cadillac out of the James Creek flood waters and proudly restored it to working order. Kenny's skill and understanding of mechanics extended beyond vehicles and he could repair almost anything he laid his hands on. Kenny saw the value and function in items left behind and had a plan for everything he collected.
Kenny loved music, especially bluegrass, and cherished his giant community of pickers and grinners. He made friends from coast to coast and across the world and he never hesitated to call 'em up and check in or stop by if he was passing through town. Kenny loved driving and road trips and having never had a cell phone, always used a atlas, a pay phone or a stranger's cell. He loved feeding people and was famous for his perfect cheesecake, his biscuits and gravy with no less than four sources of fat and white corn grits, his grilled London broil served medium rare and thinly sliced, and the chanterelles he hunted in secret spots in soggy years.
Kenny is survived by his ever loving partner Jan Reed, his daughter Katherine Schaefer-Gray, his brother Richard Gray and his sweet blue heeled Bella, and his dear friends whom he loved very much. He is preceded in death by his parents as well as many friends and loved ones.
Bearfoot Kenny will live forever in the myths and legends of the infamous bear-footed hippy.
Listening to:
Todd Snider Sunday morning