Condolences
Oh Kenny what a loss to all that knew and loved you. I just found out and am deeply saddened I remember you and my son John and what a loss for the younger generation we are loosing the good ones as a mother who lost a son of the same age Janet my love and condolences go out to you ,Chucky , and Nancy .He will be greatly missed my love to all . Sandie
God bless you Kenny, Thank you for all your love and smiles and all the good times. You will forever be in our hearts, god be with you my friend.
Kenny will be sadly missed by all whose lives he touched. We will miss his smile and hugs when he saw you. He was the kindest, truest friend you could ever be lucky to have. Our love and condolences to his family and friends. Peace be with you Kenny.
Kenny was such an amazing part of my childhood from the time I can remember. An additional brother that made life even more loving, even more happy, even more adventurous and definitely much more exciting.
I believe our family alone could pen an entire book on "Life with Smedley" but I will share two of my favorite memories:
While Dad was renovating our house, he built a laundry chute about 18"x18" that went from the second floor to the basement. Kenny saw this and said "Hey-I have an idea!" and within minutes we had the bin at the bottom lined with fluffy towels. We took turns on the second floor yelling "get ready, get set, GO!" as we flung Kenny (remember-His idea) down the laundry chute as he yelled "GERONIMO!!!!" and landed on the pile in the basement. This went on for hours as we all took turns dropping him, receiving him, and screaming with laughter-until Dad came in for lunch....Then needless to say it NEVER happened again. But Kenny didn't mind-he had successfully taken flight and completed the adventure!
A few years later, we got two horses. Kenny was pretty excited and upon saddling up for the first time, he was facing the rear of the horse. This should have been our sign. He got himself turned around and grabbed the reigns. It never really struck us that anything he learned about horsemanship was likely from Wile E Coyote, so we watched in amazement as he kicked the horse with all he had. Naturally the horse took off with Kenny flopping in the saddle like a wet rag!!! A few minutes later, the horse came running back, Kenny still intact and went by us in full gallop with Kenny yelling "WHOA!!!!! I SAID WHOA DAMNIT!!!!!! WHOA!!!!!!" and they went down the driveway, across Asbury Ave and into the cornfield that is now a golf course, disappearing out of sight.
It took about ten minutes for Kenny and Sundown to return, but they did. With Kenny tipping his baseball cap to us as if he were John Wayne with the horse in total control. As was always the case, Kenny finished the ride. He stayed the course. He completed the adventure.
He taught me so much in my life-That if you always let him drive the snowmobile and you sit in the back, no matter how flat the field appears he will find a way to get airborn and it is thrilling!! That if he is driving the Volkswagon beetle through the woods, you need to keep your feet on the seat because the path is not a challenge, so the hole in the floor will have small saplings, stumps and other things coming in at you while he blazes his own course.....That a smile can change anybody's day...That it really is all small stuff and the best thing you can do is be with people you love and laugh through it...That no matter how long it has been since you've seen someone, your love for them never changes and the reunion is always as sweet as the memories....That a hug can either be a courtesy or something so genuine that it changes you...And that no matter what-you should always finish the adventure.
My sweet Smedley....I love that you impacted so many with so much. I would give anything for your adventure to have been longer-but rest assured you finished it well. The ripple you left on this earth will go on and on and on and I am so truly grateful. I was blessed to have you as my brother. I'll see you again-I love you <3
Kenny ,May you rest in Peace...We want to remember the good old days, and the fun times that we spent together at our Home with you , and the old Farmingdale crowd.. You, Bill , Brian ,and others....Fire calls in the middle of a party, Accidents ..and so on...It was a great time and a great friendship , Big Trucks, Bond Fires, and Fun times... Your Wedding on the Horses...All of these things have been special moments that we have shared, and will cherish.... You would give the shirt off your back to whom ever needed it.. You will always be remembered as a Good Man and Loved by all...May You Rest in Peace and Know ...We all " LOVE " "YOU"
Oh,first time I every met Kenny was in Ardena,and that warm smile has never left my mind.
The first time I met Kenny- we were both about 4 years old. My mother and I were in a 1967 Chrysler heading to town. As we passed Kenny’s house, there was a little boy on a tricycle- peddling as fast as he could- headed down Asbury Road towards town. My mom said “that’s Kenny Ott!!” and pulled the car over. My mom got out of the car and asked him where he was headed and he said “I’m headed into town”. She turned his tricycle around and walked him back to his house. I remember thinking to myself “wow- he’s not afraid of anything”. And he wasn’t. From motorcycles to go-carts to firefighting to stock cars- if he wanted to do it- he would find a way and he would do it with no hesitation.
I remember another time when we were on a school bus on our way home from kindergarten- Kenny wanted to get off of the bus at my house. When he asked the bus driver, she said “I can’t unless I have a note from your mother”. Kenny came back and sat down next to me and asked if I knew how to write. I told him that I didn’t. He said “I don’t either”. He then said “ I know what to do!” and proceeded to scribble lines on a piece of paper and handed it to the bus driver. She said “what does this say?” and Kenny said “it says I can get off of the bus at Matt’s house”- and it worked! He got off of the bus at my house.
Kenny and I instantly became best friends…..more than best friends- we became brothers. We went all through school together. We saw each other literally every day during our childhood. I would either be at his house or he would be at mine. We became a part of each other’s family. We knew each other so well.
Almost all of my childhood memories include Kenny. We were always together. Whether it was playing, camping, riding our bikes or motorcycles, building something or trying to put an engine on something that had no business having an engine on it. We even had an old Volkswagen beetle that we drove around the woods. We must have put a thousand miles on that thing.
Kenny was a kind, caring and generous person. He would put anyone before himself and was always more than willing to help anyone with anything. He was a good listener when I had problems and when I needed him- he was always, always there. When we were old enough, he talked me into joining the fire department with him- again always wanting to help others. Later in our lives, even though we didn’t see each other often, we both always knew that the other was there if needed- one call is all it would take.
I will never forget the great times we had together and I will always be grateful- grateful for the positive influence he has had on my life, grateful for all of the times he was there when I needed him and grateful for the greatest friendship I have ever known or will ever know.
I will miss him and in my memories he will always be a great best friend to me.
I grew up with Kenny and were good friends through out our school years. I haven’t seen him since school but from everybody’s post about him not much has changed with him. This is so sad to hear he was way too young. May you Rest In Peace my friend and prayers to your family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all.
Deepest condolences to the Ott. family. Momma Ott. You should be proud of the man you raised. Friend to all with a heart of gold. He was truly one of the best. His smile and laugh always lite up room. We will miss him and he will always will be be a part of our lives.
I'm sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers
Janet and family--So very sad to hear of Kenny's passing. He was a good friend and a good man and left us way to soon. My thoughts are with you all.
The Robbins family sends our condolences. I worked with Kenny at Earth 14 years ago and he was always a great sight on a job. He’s a great friend, always had time to talk. He’ll surely be missed.
Dear Janet and your family, So sorry to hear about the passing of Kenny. May strength be with you all at this time. Prayers sent. Sincerely Mel
Mrs. Ott
Karl and I are so very for your loss, Kenny was, genuinely a beautiful soul, very dedicated to family and a wonderful man. Kenny will be missed...
Rest in Peace Kenny, you are in His Hands now...
Heaven has a new angel.
God Speed
Susan and Karl