FALLSBURG – Kenneth Clayton Varner (Kenny), 94, of Fallsburg died peacefully in his home on Nov. 13, 2021, surrounded by family. Kenny was born in Newark on Oct. 30, 1927, the son of the late Kyle and Pauline (Farmer) Varner.
As a child, his summers were spent in the country, where he developed an appreciation for hard work and the farm life. At age 10, he delivered newspapers before school, starting at 4:30 a.m. While in high school, he worked at Pure Oil and Owens Corning.
He graduated from Newark High School and attended Ohio State University. He joined the Navy in 1945 and was assigned to Aviation Ordinance. At the end of the war, he joined the Naval Air Reserves and achieved the rank of chief petty officer. As a World War II veteran and a member of the Greatest Generation, one of his proudest moments was having the privilege to recently participate in a Veterans Honor Flight. He was past president of the Licking County Young Republicans Club and was a member of the Fallsburg School Board. Throughout his life, he enjoyed all genres of music but gravitated toward bluegrass and gospel music.
Kenny's work ethic was evident with his many accomplishments in life, including a long career at the Ohio Power Company (now AEP), farming nearly 900 acres, being a registered surveyor (completing thousands of surveys and still surveying just days prior to his death) and owning and operating an oil well drilling company.
He will be forever loved and missed by his wife of 71 years, Shirley (Kuppinger); children Cynthia (Michael) Johnson of Warsaw, Betsy (John) Durzo of Florida and Rick Varner of Fallsburg; grandsons Curt (Bobbie) Johnson of Warsaw and Aaron (Bobbi) Johnson of Maine; five great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Lloyd. Kenny will be remembered for his kindness, integrity, generosity and grace.
In keeping with Kenny's wishes, there will be no public service. A celebration to honor his life and love of music will be held at a later date. Those who wish to make a memorial contribution may do so at the Salvation Army, 250 East Main Street, Newark, OH 43055 or Christ's Table, 28 South 6th Street, Zanesville, OH 43701.
"Thou shalt not take or remove thy neighbor’s landmark, which thy predecessors have set in thy possession." (Deuteronomy 19:14)
To sign an online guest book, please visitwww.brucker-kishlerfuneralhome.com.
