Paul Joseph Kennon Sr.

Paul J. Kennon Sr., age 73, of Lamar, died Wednesday, September 30, 2009, at Barton County Memorial Hospital after a three year battle with cancer.        Paul was born January 24, 1936 at Portageville, MO to James D. and Mattie A. (Studie) Kennon.  In 1955, at Corinth, Mississippi, he married Verna Comely and they made their home in Prescott, Arizona where they raised their five children.  Paul had lived in Lamar since 1996.        Paul was an auto mechanic, auto body man, and previously owned and operated a wood cutting business in Prescott.  He was a member of the Pentecostal Church of God, a member of the Studebaker Club in Arizona. He was an avid NASCAR enthusiast, and loved to play his guitar and sing gospel music.         Survivors include three sons and their wives, Paul & Sonya Kennon, Lamar, Lonnie & Nancy Kennon, Mt. Vernon, Missouri, Tim & Patty Kennon, Lamar; two daughters, Vernene Kennon, Joplin, and Tammy Lynn (Kennon) Butcher, Lamar; three brothers, Phillip Kennon, Pacific, MO, James & Ruth Kennon, Patosi, MO, and David Kennon, Fredericktown, MO; a sister, Mary Berry of Fredericktown, MO; 14 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; special friends Neil & Marsha Gum, Ray, Rich, Melvin, Donna, Kim, & his dog Crickett.   Paul was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Alice Belvil; his father and mother-in-law, Willis & Della Comely.   Visitation will be 6:00 until 7:00 Friday, October 2nd at Daniel Funeral Home.  A graveside funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 3rd at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery in Joplin.   Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society in care of the Daniel Funeral Home.   This obituary may be viewed and condolences left at www.danielfuneralhome.net