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TCVA Fallen Brother Keith Conrad "KC, Ken, or Kenny" Newell
July 5, 1943 - July 6, 2017
It is with much sadness TCVA reports the passing on one of TACAMO brothers, Keith Conrad "KC, Ken, or Kenny" Newell.
Obituary for Keith Conrad Newell, known to many as Ken, age 74, of Great Mills, Maryland, passed away on July 6th, 2017.
Ken was born in Omaha, Nebraska on July 5th, 1943, growing up in Damar, KS, and graduating from Kapaun High School in Wichita, Kansas. Ken was married to Helen Marie Goecke on April 15, 1966, and they were married for 51 years. They chose April 15th because it was both Helen’s birthday and a gentle reminder to pay his taxes. Ken joined the US Navy in 1962 to see the world, and he lived in California, Spain, Guam, and finally settled in Great Mills, Maryland, where his last duty station was Patuxent River Naval Air Station. He retired as a Senior Chief, spending most of his time on EC-130Q aircraft in TACAMO VQ Squadrons.
After retiring from the Navy, he continued to support the Navy as a civilian, working to improve the Hawkeye and Hercules aircraft. All in all, his expertise on turboprop engines was legendary.
After retiring from defense contracting, he started the GrapeVine Antique and Collectibles, which combined his love of antique tools with his need to spin tall tales.
Ken is survived by his wife Helen, sons Steve and Kevin, daughter-in-laws Ellen and Olena, brother Bryan, sisters Rhonda, Cathy & Sindy, and 5 wonderful grandchildren, Isabella, Gabriella, Andrew, Sasha and Naomi. He was preceded in death by his parents Marieda and Hubert, his brothers Collin, Randy, Sammy, and Blaine, his sister Sherlene, and his two children Darren and Katie. A memorial service will be held later in the summer, and In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.
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