Kennie McKown Day II, 73, of Fernandina Beach, passed away Sunday morning, Feb. 19, 2017, at the Warner Center for Caring.
Born in Bonne Terre, Mo., he was the son of the late Charles and Suzanne Struss Day, grandson of Marie Bailey Struss of Fernandina and great-grandson of the late Effingham and Katherine Bailey of Fernandina. He grew up in Clarksville, Tenn., and was a 1961 graduate of Clarksville High School. After high school, he attended the University of Tennessee and Austin Peay State University, where he studied engineering. Kennie’s 50-plus-year career in rock, aggregate and sand mining began with his work as a teenager in his family’s business, Clarksville Stone. He went on to design, construct and operate projects throughout the southeastern United States and in the Bahamas and Mexico. At the time of his passing, he was founding partner and chief operating officer of American Silica LLC, a cutting-edge mine operation near Jonesboro, Ark.
Kennie was a man of integrity and honor. He was classic in his way of thinking, traditional in his beliefs and straightforward in the way he treated his fellow man. He enjoyed all things related to the outdoors and extending hospitality to his family and friends.
He leaves behind his wife, Sara Daw Day of Fernandina Beach; his son, Kennie McKown Day III of Philadelphia; Sara’s daughters, Dawn Mays (Stephen) of Satellite Beach, and Stacy Price (Tim) of St. Johns; a sister, Tonia Day Quarterman (John) of Fernandina Beach; seven grandchildren, Logan, Lauren, Reagan, Evelyn, Lillian, Katherine and Theo; nephews, John Quarterman and Charles Quarterman; and a niece, Michele McDougall.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 27, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, with the Rev. Stephen Mazingo officiating. Kennie will be laid to rest among his parents, grandmother and great-grandparents in St. Peter’s Cemetery.
His family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, at Oxley-Heard.
Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or to St. Peter’s Cemetery Fund, c/o St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 801 Atlantic Ave., Fernandina Beach, FL 32034.
Please share his Life Story and leave your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors