John Riley Kenyon

John Riley Kenyon

January 14, 1951 – July 7, 2026

John Riley Kenyon, 75, passed peacefully into the presence of his Lord on July 7, 2026, with his daughters by his side. Though his family grieves his loss, they rejoice in the promise of eternal life and find comfort knowing he is finally at peace.

John's life was defined by his unwavering faith in Jesus Christ and his commitment to loving others well. Whether someone was family, friend, or a complete stranger, John believed everyone deserved compassion, dignity, and hope. He lived his faith daily, demonstrating what it truly meant to "love your neighbor."

A proud United States Marine Corps veteran, John carried the values of courage, discipline, and service throughout his life. After his military service, he devoted more than two decades to working at Southern Oregon Adolescent Study and Treatment Center (SOASTC), where he counseled and cared for adolescent boys who had experienced physical, emotional, and mental abuse. His work was never simply a job—it was a calling to help hurting young people find healing and hope.

John also served as a pastor, faithfully ministering to his church family and the Grants Pass community for many years. Through counseling, prayer, and countless acts of kindness, he helped people through some of life's darkest moments. He and his family opened their home to those in need, welcoming foster children, providing temporary housing, sharing meals, collecting and distributing food, clothing, and household goods, and making sure anyone who came through his door left knowing they were loved.

His greatest ministry, however, was his family.

John married Barbara Russell on September 7, 1974, beginning a fourteen-year marriage built on love and devotion until Barbara's passing in December 1988. Together they created a home filled with faith, adventure, and unforgettable family vacations to the Oregon coast, lakes, Disneyland, Nevada, and countless places where memories were made that would last a lifetime.

In the year that followed Barbara's passing, John found love again when he married Toni. Through that marriage he welcomed Jason and Christan (Chris) into his heart and family, later adopting them as his own. John never measured fatherhood by biology alone. He believed being a father meant showing up with patience, consistency, guidance, and unconditional love.

After Jason and Christan had grown and begun families of their own, John continued answering God's call to care for children by opening his home in Klamath Falls as a licensed short-term foster home. What began as a place of temporary safety became a home and family for two young girls, Carlie and Kathleen, whom John later adopted as his daughters. They often said that while they may not have been born into his family, they were chosen by a father whose love knew no boundaries.

Through fostering, adoption, and simply opening his home to those in need, John became "Dad" to many. He had a remarkable ability to see worth in people when they couldn't see it in themselves, and countless lives were forever changed because he chose to love without reservation. For John, family was never defined by blood alone—it was built through faith, commitment, and unconditional love.

Those who knew John will remember his gentle smile, quick sense of humor, twinkling eyes, and the way he could make anyone feel welcome. He never met a stranger. Whether offering a listening ear, a warm meal, heartfelt prayer, wise counsel, or simply a handful of snacks before you left his house, John found joy in serving others. Seeing someone smile was often all the reward he needed.

His children remember a father who was patient, consistent, and steadfast. He taught by example, showing what faith looked like in everyday life. He encouraged, corrected with love, celebrated victories, and walked beside those who were struggling. His influence shaped not only his own family but countless others who considered him a father, mentor, pastor, or friend.

John is survived by his loving children; Karman, Jason, Chris, Carlie and Kathleen. His loving grandchildren; Micheal, Victoria, Hayden, Kameron, Piper, Arora, Ashbee, Hudson, Carson, Liam, Zayne and Aryia. In addition to his extended family, and the many people whose lives were forever changed by his love, guidance, and faithful example. His legacy lives on through each of them.

One of John's favorite passages of Scripture beautifully reflects the foundation of his life:

"I love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."

Psalm 18:1–2

While his family mourns the absence of his physical presence, they celebrate a life faithfully lived in service to God and others. His kindness, generosity, unwavering faith, and unconditional love will continue to echo through generations.

Well done, my good and faithful servant.

Please share a memory of John in his Guestbook.