Kenneth R. Fortney, Jr.

Kenneth R. Fortney, Jr. (1937-2023)

Kenneth Russell Fortney, Jr of Wichita, KS and Omaha, NE passed away June 6, 2023. He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Deanne (Davis), mother Elizabeth Fortney and sister Deane (Fortney) Ricord. He is survived by his children, Kristina E. (Bob) Arteaga, Melissa A. (James) Troub, Jennifer L. Fortney; grandchildren Sarah L. Troub and Ryan C. Troub; brother-in-law Meade O. (Lynne) Davis.

Ken was born in Wichita, KS on December 13, 1937, and was a graduate of East High School and Wichita State University (B.A. Arts, Sociology major with minors in Political Science and History; MBA) as a ROTC DMG. He also studied at the USA Infantry School, USA Special Warfare School, USA Institute of Personnel and Resource Management, USA CGSC, USAF Air War College and the National Defense University.

He served 14 years in the regular Army as an Infantry officer and in Korea near Unchonni with the 7th Infantry Division. After attending the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, he was selected to attend the Defense Language Institute and was then assigned to the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii. Ken was assigned to the 9th Logistical Command at Korat, Thailand for two months and then as the advisor to the new 4th Battalion, 5th RCT, Royal Thai Army (RTA).

After recovering from an accident in Thailand Ken was assigned to the Rendezvous and became a liaison officer/advisor to the 1st Brigade Royal Thai Army Volunteer Force (RTAVF) at Bear Cat base camp. He was eventually assigned to Ft. Riley, KS as an infantry battalion executive officer then as the Deputy G-2 of the Division. He was again assigned to Thailand as an advisor to the Cavalry Division (RTA), spending 14 months in Nan.

Back at Ft. Riley, Ken was reassigned as the S-2 of the Division Support Command and then became part of the Division Intelligence Evaluator for J2 Readiness Command. He was discharged in 1973 and became a reserve officer and served in a USAR school for 10 years and in a MUSARC HQ as Assistant DCS, Operations and Intelligence for more than two years.

After 32 years of service, Ken retired with distinction with the rank of Colonel.

Ken was a decorated officer receiving several awards and badges, including Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal.

After receiving his MBA from Wichita State University, Ken was hired in the accounting department at Boeing Military Airplane Company in Wichita in 1979 where he retired as a Supervisor, Financial Accounting in the early 1990s. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran and Reformation Lutheran Churches in Wichita.

Ken and Deanne moved to Omaha, NE to be closer to family. They were active members of St. Michael Lutheran, Kountz Memorial Food Pantry, Project Hope and Open Door Mission.

Ken worked at the Quivira Council of the Boy Scouts and received his Eagle Scout Award in 1959. Over 75 years as a scout and volunteer, he served as a webelos and den leader, pack leader, cub master, trainer, attended Philmont Boy Scout Camp several times and received the Veterans Award and the Order of the Arrow.

Introduced to the Grand Tetons by his wife Deanne and her family, Ken loved the Tetons where the family spent one week each summer and later he spent the summers with his wife there. Here he was able to use his boy scouting skills, share his and Deanne’s love for nature and respect for the environment. He mostly enjoyed hiking and eating sandwiches with a great view, canoeing on String Lake, cooking out and using his Dutch oven to make peach cobbler.

Ken was a Civil War buff and loved a good game of cribbage. He enjoyed spending his time listening to country music, watching John Wayne movies and enjoying time with family.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Deanne; mother, Elizabeth Fortney and sister, Deane Ricord. He is survived by her children, Kristina E. (Bob) Arteaga, Melissa A. (James) Troub, Jennifer L. Fortney; grandchildren, Sarah L. Troub and Ryan C. Troub; brother, Meade O. (Lynne) Davis.

FUNERAL SERVICE Thursday, June 15, 2023, at 10:30am at St. Michael Lutheran Church with interment in Omaha National Cemetery. VISITATION with the family one hour prior to the service at church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Michael Lutheran Church or the Siena Francis house.