Garry L. Kennard

In Loving Memory of Garry Kennard

Garry Kennard, 77, of Crossville, Tennessee, passed away into the presence of Jesus in heaven on October 14th at Cumberland Medical Center following a battle with brain cancer.

Born on October 12th, Garry was the son of Cletis and Emily Kennard.

Garry dedicated over 30 years of his life to public service as a career firefighter with Newark Fire Department in Newark, Ohio, serving as a paramedic, firefighter, and engineer. Throughout his career, he devoted himself to helping others and serving his community.

In addition to his career in the fire service, Garry worked as a Respiratory Therapist at Licking Memorial Hospital. He was also a Real Estate Broker and Partner at McMahon Real Estate, where he worked alongside his beloved late friends, Joe and Phoebe McMahon. His professional life reflected his many talents, dedication, and the lasting friendships he built along the way.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Garry found joy in the simple things that made life special. He loved singing in the choir at church and on mission trips, loved his horses he had over the years, as well as spending time on the water, especially kayaking. Each morning, he awoke to admire the beautiful lake views, and in the evenings, he cherished watching the sunsets paint the sky over the lake. These peaceful moments brought him happiness and reflected his appreciation for the beauty that God created that surrounded him.

Garry is survived by his loving wife, Kimberly; his son, Kevin Kennard (Shelby), and grandchildren Kaitlyn and Jack; his daughter, Hannah Dufault (Clayton), and granddaughter Lilliana, along with grandsons Andrew and Jacob; and his daughter, Victoria Dufault (Miguel), and granddaughter Ameia. He is also survived by his brothers, Roger Kennard (Connie) and John Kennard (Julie), as well as his beloved nieces, Christine Wescott (Brian) and Sandy Akiona (Nathanial) and best friends Michael and Wendy Carroll.

Garry was preceded in death by his parents, Cletis and Emily Kennard; his son, Brian Kennard; and his brother, Loyal "Hutch" Kennard.

Garry will be deeply missed by his loving family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. His more than 30 years of service as a firefighter, paramedic, and engineer stand as a testament to his dedication to helping others. The love he shared with his family, the friendships he cherished, and the lives he touched will remain a lasting part of his legacy. He will be remembered with love for his infectious smile and held in the hearts of those who knew him.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, from 10:00 - 12:00 PM at Brucker-Kishler Funeral Home, 985 North 21st Street, Newark, Ohio 43055, with the service to follow at 12:00 PM. He will be interred in Newark Memorial Gardens at 1:30 PM following the service.