Obituary of Arthur Neal (Kenney) Ranft

Art passed away March 10, 2020 at the age of 74 at his home with his loving wife, Mary, family and friends.

Art lived his life on his own terms with a stubborn disposition (everyone would agree) but with a kind and caring character.  He always had a smile and a kind word to anyone he passed in daily life.

He was born in New York on December 13, 1945 to parents Arthur Ranft of Howard Beach, N.Y. and Lilyan Hennessy of Queens, N.Y.  Art lost his father, and namesake when he was just an infant, but was welcomed and loved by his dad Robert A. Kenney, Sr. soon after as a toddler.

Art moved around the country with his Air Force family.  He attended high school in Midwest City, Oklahoma but graduated from John Adams H.S. in Jamaica, N. Y.  He enlisted in the Marine Corp and served in Vietnam1967-1968.  He enjoyed a career at Boots Pharmaceuticals in Shreveport, Louisiana and the Keenland Horse Racing Track in Lexington, Kentucky.  He was a gifted woodworker (should have been an Architect). He enjoyed his later years sitting on the enclosed deck he built at his home in Haughton, LA listening to music and sometimes reminiscing with old friends.  Art rarely missed an episode of “Gunsmoke”, and enjoyed watching Fox News.  He especially enjoyed the amazing meals Mary prepared each night for dinner.  In his younger years, Art was always up to something (mostly shenanigans with his younger brother Bob).  He and Bob (accidently) gave little brother Jim a mohawk haircut, (mom was so mad!)  Art and Bob made their own trusty slingshots once and plunked Jimmy in the head with a rock, but luckily all survived that incident.  Mostly he was a GREAT big brother who called his little sister “Jen” (she loved that).

Arthur was preceded in death by his parents and first wife, Susan Ranft.  Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 34 years Mary Lockett Donohue Ranft, brothers, Robert A. Kenney, Jr., James Kenney and sister Jeanette Kenney-Shumway.  Art also has two nephews and a niece.  Arthur also loved his pet family, Rosie, Satin, Stryker and Maycee.

Special thanks are extended to Julie Brown who faithfully helped Mary with Art’s care until the end.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date when the Coronavirus scare is over.

Instead of flowers, please consider a donation to a Veteran’s cause in Arthur’s name.