Kenneth (Kenny)
H. Kaufman
Kenneth (Kenny) H. Kaufman died Sept. 16 at home and NOT of “G.D. Covid”! He was born in Billings, Oct. 12, 1945, the son of Harold and Bertha Kaufman. Kenny grew up farming and as an adult with his father. He graduated from Shepherd High School, and when asked about formal education, he would always say, “I graduated from the School of Hard Knocks.”
When it became time to leave farming, he entered the world of public relations, dealing with people! He had a way of salesmanship beginnings with auto trim design, then a negotiator/manager for two water irrigation districts, BBWA and HPID. He did inside sales for Marketing Specialties, then outside sales rep for Advanced Hydraulics before retirement.
He was an active, sometimes quite vocal, member for many years on the Pioneer School Board, Hawthorne ECNA Church boards and Shepherd Fire Department and District. He held, at one time or another, most jobs at the Fire Department. Firefighting experience started with the Billings Heights Fire Department.
The biggest job, that was not a job, was being Santa Claus. It was a family activity that took him and his family to extensive places and gained them a circle of overwhelming connections.
Family life was fulltime, working, playing, camping and vacations. It almost always included extensive friends and family—too many to name—with stories to tell. Come share with us.
Kenny was known for his hearty laughter, gigantic hugs, and ease of tears.
His biggest hobby/activity in retirement was coffee at the Play Inn solving the world’s problems. He once quoted something he read or was told, “This is not gossip; it’s sharing information!” After coffee he would roam the county and neighborhood visiting and checking up on what was going on.
He leaves his wife Dianne, daughter Cori (Brandon) Scala, son Kelby (Kim), grandchildren Spencer (Elecia), Tristan, Kailey, Kendall, greatgrandchildren, Lily and Mason. He is also survived by his sister Karen Wilks and numerous surrogate grandchildren and greatgrandchildren, and extended friends and relatives too numerous to count.
There is a deep hole in many hearts now that he is gone to be with his Father in Heaven. Kenny’s Celebrations of Life will be Oct. 12, 2021, at Chanceys at 11 a.m.
Memorials may go to the Shepherd Volunteer Fire Department or Riverstone Hospice.
