Mr. Leonard Darrell "Steve" Kenyon, age 89 of Thomaston, died Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at Emory University Hospital.

Leonard Darrell “Steve” Kenyon, born August 8, 1937, in Kelleyville, Oklahoma, and raised on an oil lease outside of Hominy, excelled in sports as a state-qualifying track runner and football player.

As a young boy, he dreamed of leaving small-town life and exploring the world. On an ROTC field trip in college, while standing on the runway, the touch-and-go of a fighter plane caught his attention, and he immediately knew his goal was to fly.

For a summer job, he traveled to New Mexico to work in the oil fields, having no money and no car. As he saw the stadium lights downtown, he walked to the ballpark and saw Peggy Rice in the stands, and he knew that would be his wife. They dated that summer, and said goodbye, since he had two years of college and then military obligations ahead of him.

After graduating from Oklahoma State University with a degree in geology, he joined the Navy and began flight training in Pensacola, FL. Determined to stay focused on earning his wings, he put his love for Peg on hold until his training was complete. Three days before earning his wings, they were married in New Mexico, and she had the honor of pinning them on in Beeville, Texas.

Stationed in Lemorre, CA, Jacksonville, FL, and serving aboard the USS Kearsarge in the Pacific, Lt. Steve became a Centurion, a naval aviator who completed 100 arrested landings on an aircraft carrier.

As news of President Kennedy’s assassination reached the carrier, Lt. Steve was ordered into his fighter jet, where he sat for hours, ready for immediate launch to defend our nation against a possible invasion or takeover.

After five years in the Navy and an honorable discharge, he became a commercial airline captain with Braniff Airlines and flew for 17 years. Steve and Peggy traveled the world together, exploring Europe, South America, and Asia, including the Philippines and Japan, where they climbed Mt. Fuji. By the end of his flying career, Steve had logged more than 10,000 flight hours. Later, he started an airfreight trucking company at DFW Airport before becoming an award-winning wealth manager in Dallas, Texas.

The joy of his life was his beautiful wife, Peggy, and his children, Lance and Adrienne. A devoted protector and provider, Steve was also a creative problem solver who cared deeply for those around him. He took particular satisfaction in guiding and encouraging the men who worked for him, coaching them not only in their work, but in becoming better men.

In 2019, he moved to Thomaston, GA to be near his daughter, Adrienne; his son-in-love, John; and their seven children. He soon decided that Thomaston, Georgia was his favorite place he had ever lived.

He intentionally poured the last years of his life into his family, even providing each grandchild with a small notebook and pencil to take notes as he prepared them for life. He also created his famous “Top Gun Club” text thread with all the grandkids; a place where he could share an inspiration, pass along a life lesson, and offer his wisdom. It became a place where they could ask him questions, seek his advice, and continue learning from the grandfather who was always preparing them for the road ahead.

Mr. Kenyon was born to the late Leonard E. Kenyon and the late Norene Stanbrough Kenyon. He was of the Christian faith. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his son, Lance Donovan Kenyon.

Survivors include his wife, Peggy Rice Kenyon, daughter, Adrienne (John) Shales daughter-in-love, Christi Lanier, brother, Roger (Susan) Kenyon, grandchildren, Ian Shales, Maran Shales, Salem Shales, Luke Shales, Racquel Shales, Dallas Shales, Vivienne Shales, and Makenzi Kenyon.

Memorial services with military honors will be held on Friday, August 21, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. from the Chapel of Coggins Funeral Home in Thomaston, GA. The family will receive friends following the service.

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