DEXTER – Horace Arthur McKenney, 89, died Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008, at Sebasticook Valley Hospital, Pittsfield, of complications from brain cancer. Hod was born Oct. 4, 1918, in Dexter, the son of Frank P. and Bertha (Reed) McKenney. He grew up on the farm and attended Dexter schools. Always a hard worker, he had many jobs as a young lad in school. He was the school janitor, a sled builder, and a blacksmith helper, in addition to helping his dad on the dairy farm. In 1941, not able to serve his country, he bought Clyde Jewett’s milk business when Clyde joined the service. He proudly called it Victory Dairy. Horace married Lois Nelson of Dexter and they raised seven children on the farm. He grew beans for the local cannery and loved having the area kids pick beans for him. He was always proud of his family and enjoyed working on the family tree. Horace had a terrific memory and shared his stories with everyone. He loved watch-ing the grandchildren and great-grandchildren play sports. The family called him the human calculator, as he could figure numbers quicker than an adding machine. He enjoyed playing Beano throughout the area and playing in cribbage tournaments. He rarely refused a competitive game of Phase 10 or cribbage and usually was the winner. Horace farmed in the Dexter area all his life and at the time of his death, he was farming with his son, Perry, on the Garland Road. Last summer he was riding the tractor 12 hours a day during haying season and still growing the best sweet corn around. He was known throughout the area for his sweet corn “picked fresh daily,” which he peddled for years from Dexter to Kingfield and Bingham. Hod felt that he was nearest to God when he was on his knees weeding his garden or picking his corn. He enjoyed fishing and hunting all his life and was a past member of Dexter Fish and Game and a member of the Big Buck Club. He earned the nickname of the Ridge Runner because he could walk faster and farther than the younger hunters. He was a 35-year member of Plymouth Lodge No. 65 Odd Fellows of Dexter, where he held the offices of vice grand, noble grand, financial secretary and treasurer. He was district deputy grand master for eight years and outside guardian for Grand Lodge of Maine. He is survived by his son, Perry F. McKenney and wife, Barbara, of Dexter; six daughters, Patsy and her husband, Ronald Dickinson, of Charlottesville, Va., Evelyn and her husband, George White Jr., of Winterport, Marcia and her husband, Lynn Herrick, of Kingfield, Nellie and her husband, Joseph Kennedy, of Ripley, Nancy and her husband, Joseph Pichette, of Portland and Darlene and her husband, Robert Stewart, of Dexter; 16 grandchildren, 31 great-grand-children; a nephew, Roderic McKenney and wife, Barbara; and two nieces, Charlotte and husband, Bob Witham, and Sonya and husband, Roland Arno. He was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Lois in 1998; his brothers, Marden and Norman McKenney; his sisters, Dorothy Fowler and Doris Cookson; and his granddaughter, Kathleen “Katy” White. Friends may call 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, at Crosby & Neal Funeral Home, 61 Main St., Dexter. A celebration of Horace’s life will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, at First Baptist Curch, Main Street, Dexter. Gifts in Hor-ace’s memory may be made to Dexter Middle School, Abbott Hill Ramblers Music Account, 62 Abbott Hill Road, Dexter, ME 04930. Those who wish may express condolences at www.CrosbyNeal.com.
HORACE A. MCKENNEY
