Philip Charles "Phil" Kenyon

PHILIP “PHIL” CHARLES KENYON

Philip “Phil” Charles Kenyon CLU, 96, of Cortez, passed away at his home on October 16, 2022.

Philip was born to Lucile and William Kenyon on February 22, 1926, in Durango, Colorado. He graduated from Cortez High School in 1944. Philip worked for his dad at Kenyon Motor Company, and had a key to the garage so he could work on cars in the morning before school.

Philip married Vivienne Vencil on November 18, 1947. For their honeymoon trip he bought a new 47’ Pontiac two door automatic with radio and heater! They recreated their honeymoon trip many times over the years – Gallup, to Grand Canyon, Barstow, and then on to Tijuana. Their happy union resulted in the birth of three children: Tom, Jennifer, and Melissa. Always active in the Cortez community Philip was involved in the 20/30 Club, became a Mason and joined Toastmasters.

In 1963, the family moved to Roswell, New Mexico. He was active with the Masons, Toastmasters, and the Rotary Club. Philip was a Chartered Life Underwriter with the New York Life Insurance Company, retiring in 2002. Active in Roswell’s, Trinity United Methodist Church, Phil and Vivienne travelled to many small communities in southern New Mexico as Lay Speakers. Philip served as district director of Lay Speaking in SE New Mexico.

After 32 years in Roswell, Philip and Vivienne returned to Cortez, quickly becoming involved with the Historical Society and the 40’s Bunch, contributing to the preservation of the historic Calkins School Building, and helping reorganize the Montezuma County Historical Society. Philip pleasured in the mountains and the desert. He enjoyed fishing and hunting; was a landscape artist with a ballpoint pen, and an observant writer.

Philip and Vivienne designed and built their passive solar dream home in McElmo Canyon; the design was copyrighted after completion. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in they newly built home in 1997, and would have celebrated their 75th anniversary on November 18, 2022.

Philip was preceded in death by his daughter, Jennifer; by his parents, William and Lucile; his in-laws, William and Lair Vencil; by his sister, Dorothy Payne; and by his brother, Wayne.

Philip is survived by his love, Vivienne; son, Tom and wife, Ronnie, with grandson, Matthew and fiancé, Jenna; daughter, Melissa and husband, Bob, with granddaughter, Sarah and husband, David; sister-in-law, Loy Ann Kenyon; and numerous treasured nieces and nephews.

We say farewell to a husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend, a consummate gentleman.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to First United Methodist Church, the many caregivers, friends, and neighbors that loved and cared for Philip over the last few years and months.

Memorial contributions may be made in Philip’s name to a favored charity or the Cortez Fire Protection District to assist 1st Responders, 31 N. Washington Street Cortez, CO 81321.