In Memory of Arlon Dale Kennedy

Arlon Dale Kennedy was born March 10, 1964, at Deaconess Hospital in Oklahoma City, OK. Arlon was adopted and raised by Tommie and Virginia Kennedy in Watonga and passed away on May 14, 2023. Tommie and Virginia, along with Arlon’s sister Debbie, welcomed Arlon into their hearts and home.

As Arlon grew up, he and his family were heavily involved in Watonga Nazarene Church. In addition to church activities, Arlon ran a trap line with his friends and learned construction from his dad. Arlon graduated from Watonga High school in 1982 and continued working construction and trapping as much as possible.

Arlon married Debra R. Heideman on September 2, 1986, in McKinney, TX. The couple settled in Watonga, where their two sons, Heath and Ethan were born.

As a young husband and dad, Arlon worked hard, taking on all kinds of construction jobs and helping his dad with cattle. After Tommie’s tragic death in 1994, Arlon turned most of his attention to working with concrete. But having cattle was always a goal.

Arlon helped take care of his mom, and later Debi’s mom. Even though they didn’t get to take enough trips, Arlon and Debi loved traveling. Arlon also cherished spending time with his sons. While a good part of that time was spent working together, they always found a way to get into the woods to hunt or onto a lake to fish. As the boys grew up and got married, Arlon turned his attention to his grandkids. Arlon loved spending as much time as possible with his grandchildren.

God brought Arlon back into contact with his birth father in 2018. First God had blessed Arlon with Tommie and Virginia as parents; now God blessed Arlon with Dennis and Joan. Arlon was thrilled to have the Ford family in his life and came to love that family as much as the family he grew up with.

Arlon worked many years for United States Gypsum, retiring from there in 2022. And at some point, a herd of cattle made its way back into Arlon’s schedule. Even after officially retiring, Arlon took care of his cows and picked up an occasional job pouring cement.

Arlon was preceded in death by his parents and grandson Noah Kennedy. He is survived by his wife Debi Kennedy; son Heath and wife Chelsea of Watonga, and son Ethan and wife Emily of Waynoka; birth parents Dennis and Joan Ford of Gray, TN; sister Debbie and husband Frank Selby of Gage, OK, sister Joy and husband Shane Nicely of Goose Creek, SC, and sister Sherry and husband Kevin Shoemaker of Bluff City, TN; brother Jeffrey and wife Tracee Ford of Knoxville, TN; grandchildren Trace, Hadyn, Tommy, Lincoln and Blair; sisters-in-law Teri Baker of Watonga, and Rachel Freedman and husband Jerry of Waco, TX; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. We loved him dearly and will miss him greatly.

Funeral services for Arlon will be held Monday, May 22, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the Nazarene Church in Watonga, Oklahoma, with Pastor Larry Hall officiating. The burial will follow at I.O.O.F. Cemetery, with Pastor Jerry Freedman officiating and Wilkinson Mortuary in charge of arrangements.