Kenneth Garwood

Kenneth Wayne Garwood, Lieutenant Commander, USN, Retired, passed away on Sunday, April 19, 2009, at Villa St. Francis, at the age of 90.

Ken was born on July 16, 1918 at Souris, North Dakota, youngest child of John & Eleanor Garwood. His sister Gladys Garwood Paxman, and brother Virgil Garwood, also preceded him in death.


He graduated high school from Souris, and attended junior college in Bottineau, before graduating from the University of North Dakota where he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, hockey, baseball, and football teams. Ken majored in sociology, with a minor in journalism.


After graduating from college, Ken enlisted in the Navy, was selected for officer's training, followed by pilot training. He earned his wings in Pensacola, FL. His first military duty was recruiting officers in Minneapolis, MN. When that tour of duty ended, he was a flight instructor at Corpus Christi Naval Air Station, then to active duty in the pacific during World War II. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Navy Commendations: Air Medal & 3 Stars; American Defense; American Theatre; Asiatic Pacific & 4 Stars; WWII Victory; National Defense; Philippine Liberations & 1 Star. He completed two tours of duty at the Pentagon in addition to many sea duty assignments. After twenty-one years of service, he retired at Midway Island, and returned to his family in Olathe, his prior duty station.


Ken became active in PTA, election boards, charity drives, coaching the boy's baseball teams, and his daughter's softball teams. Coming from a musical family, Ken played the trumpet, and was instrumental in helping his children with their practicing of piano, trumpets, and trombone.


Ken is survived by his wife Wanda of the home, daughter Gloria Garwood of Indianapolis, IN; and sons John Garwood of Corpus Christi, TX; Kenneth (Mike) Garwood of Kansas City, MO; Donald and wife Lorena Garwood of Honolulu, Hawaii; one niece, Marlys Paxman Dowman of Atlanta, GA, and one nephew Bert Garwood of Grand Forks, ND. Also, Mary E. Below, M.D. of Indianapolis, IN and Richard Morales of Corpus Christi, TX survive.


Funeral services will be 12:30 PM Wednesday April 22, 2009 at the Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, Olathe, KS. Burial in Leavenworth National Cemetery. Friends may call from 11:30 AM-12:30 PM at the funeral home. In Lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to the Alzheimer's Assoc. or your favorite charity.