June 27, 1949 – July 5, 2024
Graveside service for Kenneth (Kenny) Paul Edwards, 75, of Vian, will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Vian, under the direction of Agent & Mallory- Martin Funeral Services, Inc. Mr. Edwards was born on June 27, 1949, in Fort Smith, Ark. to Margaret Ellen (Wallace) Edwards and Thomas Woodrow Edwards. He passed away on Friday, July 5, 2024, in Gore.
He was married to Wanda Edwards on June 25, 1973, in Newkirk. She preceded him in death on December 11, 2018.
Kenny retired from BRB Construction where he was employed as a foreman, and was a proud citizen of the Cherokee Nation. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War and awarded a Purple Heart for his insane bravery, love for his country and fellow soldiers.
When his unit was ambushed, Kenny took an AK 47 round to the chest. He said when he looked around and saw so much death, he decided he could lay there and die or keep on fighting. So he chose to fight, even if it meant dying. He packed the wound with an old shirt, gauze and some dirt, got back up and continued to fight. For those that have always wondered where the phrase “just rub some dirt on it” comes from, now you know.
Sometime during this firefight, a mortar sailed in overhead landing behind him. He took massive amounts of shrapnel to the back. As his commanding officer was walking the line, he was pulling soldiers that were wounded, but had a probability of survival and began evacuating them to get medical. Kenny once again chose to stay and fight. He said the last thing he remembered was a grenade going off, a palm-type tree falling and a medic diving on top of him as he passed out from blood loss. When he woke up in a hospital in Japan, it took him six months to recover before returning to the States.
For his entire life, Kenny carried that AK47 round and the shrapnel in his back because both were too close to his spine and vital organs to be removed; and he was proud to carry it with him. He will be buried with all his medals and military uniform.
Survivors are his children, Clinton Cato and wife Robbie of the Box community, Jenetta Ross and husband James of Vian, Gina Cato of the Box community, Amie Cato-Remer of Vian, and Jeff Edwards and companion Lisa of Vian; 10 grandchildren, Ashley Brown, Lance Ross, Sarah Richards, Kelsei Kennedy, Ty Cato, Sydney Colvin, Emilee Edwards, Chase Rector, Brandon Kennedy and Derek Kennedy; several great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and numerous other relatives and friends.
He was also preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Sue Edwards; and his brother and best friend, Jerry Edwards.
Pallbearers will be Kaden Hickeleim, Blake Hickelheim, Shawn Buster, Alex Colvin, John “Smittie” Smith and Ty Cato.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jeff Edwards, Clinton Cato, James Ross, Lance Ross, Roy Fair, Donald Hardin, Jerry Paul Simon, E.O. Smith Jr. and Larry Stegall.
Kenny always said he “wasn’t much on flowers,” and has asked donation be made in his honor to Disabled American Veterans (DAV).
