Obituaries

Kerney Ray Clinton "KR"

Photo of Kerney  Ray Clinton "KR"
KERNEY RAY CLINTON "KR' passed from this life to his eternal life on Dec. 7, 2013. Kerney was born on May 28, 1920 to Robert Bruce Clinton and Mary Addie Rowell Clinton in Hattiesburg, Miss. He is preceded in death by his parents; four brothers; Robert, Paul, Earnest and James; and two sisters, Jewell and Vera. Kerney married Helen Catherine Stringer on Aug. 10, 1943, and have two children, Patricia Ann ("Patsy") Trammel, married to Robert L. Trammel, and Richard A. ("Dick") Clinton, married to Linda Muncy Clinton. Kerney is survived by his wife and two children; six grandchildren and their spouses, Brent and Jennalee Trammel, Monica and Gary Cooper, Kevin and Kimberly Trammel, Michelle and Thad Waugh, Bruce and Susanne Clinton, and Sloan and Alison Clinton; and 18 great grandchildren; and many nephews and nieces. Kerney was educated and raised in a lumber and farming environment near Hattiesburg, Miss. In 1940 he enlisted in the Army Air Corp on Jan. 18, 1940 and served in the Caribbean area and Panama during World War II as a Communications Chief and Master Sergeant until his honorable discharge on Sept. 2, 1945. Kerney returned home and began to work in his spouse's family nursery business. He worked in the nursery business in Georgia, Mississippi, and in Arkansas. In 1950 Kerney founded the Little Rock operations for Green Tree Nursery & Landscape Co., Inc. with the initial office at 10th & Main Street, then 19th & University, and finally at 9305 Rodney Parham. He and Helen worked actively, side by side, in the business until they retired in 1996. He was active in the Arkansas Nurseryman's Association and served as its President for two years. He had many friends, and his customers knew him by his smile, friendly greeting, and knowledge of flowers, plants, and landscaping. Customers and employees respected him for his character, fair dealing, and religious beliefs. Green Tree Nursery has always been closed for business on Sunday. Kerney's goal was to have the largest variety and best specimen plants to offer his customers at reasonable prices. There are thousands of customers in Central Arkansas whose homes or businesses have been decorated, landscaped, or maintained with plants or products provided through Kerney's efforts. Kerney loved his employees and was a friend, mentor, and witness. Kerney lived what he believed: God first, family, friends, work, and then everything else. Kerney was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church for over 60 years. He was a 32nd degree Mason, and enjoyed playing golf during his later years with his family and friends at Pleasant Valley Country Club. The family is thankful and appreciative for all the doctors and medical staff who have cared for him over the years and especially those who cared for him recently at Baptist Health Medical Center – Little Rock. Funeral services will be held at Immanuel Baptist Church on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013 at 1 p.m. with burial at Pinecrest Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at Roller Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Ark. 72211 (501) 224-8300, on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013 from 5-7 p.m. Memorials may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church.

Published December 9, 2013

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