Eugene Thomas ‘Gene’ Kenton, 77

Gene Kenton, of Frankford, De passed peacefully in his home on January 3rd, 2023, with family by his side. He was born September 3rd, 1945 at Beebe Hospital in Lewes, De to the late Elsie Kenton (mother) and William H Kenton (father).

Gene grew up as quite the star athlete and had a great shot at going pro in either Baseball or Football, but his parents had to relocate to Massachusetts in the middle of his High School athletic career. He did make it back to Delaware for his Sr. year where he lived with his older half-brother, Nelson Kenton (deceased) and his family, where he still remained hopeful that he could get scouted. Many of his accomplishments during this time can be traced to newspaper clippings that he saved which tell quite the story of a talented young athlete.  

After high school, Gene served in the US ARMY during the Vietnam era, where his baseball talent was recognized and he played ball in Germany for the US Army. He loved to travel and was able to see the world through his time in the service. He always felt guilty that he was “playing ball” while all of his comrades were fighting in Vietnam, but he was ready and willing to lay down baseball if his country asked him to deploy to Vietnam. He later used his GI Bill to go to DelTech for computer science, where he again played baseball and was the star player on the team once again.

After graduation, Gene traveled around the country where he was married and had a Daughter in California. After a divorce, he ended up back in his home state and built a successful business, Gene Kenton Painting, that he ran for 40 years in Bethany Beach, Delaware. He loved the Baltimore Ravens & Orioles, harness racing (where he owned several race horses over the early 2000’s), golf, fishing, bow hunting, traveling, people watching on the boardwalk, live music (Neil Diamond was his favorite) and hosting parties where he could watch friends and family enjoy themselves. He was 18 years sober and was a grateful friend of Bill W.

He is preceded in death by his life partner of 30+ years, Katie Peterson and although they never married legally he called her his “wife” and they shared a beautiful life together before her passing in 2018.

He is survived by his Daughter, Sheri Kenton of Frankford, De; his step-son, Eric Peterson of Huntingtown, Md; 7 grandchildren (which were his pride and joy and being their Pop Pop gave him the greatest joy in his life); Eric Peterson, Jr. (deceased), Bridgette & Morgan Baker, Tommy McLaughlin, Nancy, Delaney & Vivian Peterson; He was a beloved big brother and is also survived by William “Billy” Kenton of Dagsboro, De; Janet Swain of Lincoln, De; Elsie Kenton of Greenwood, De and Helena Pepper of Milton, De.

A celebration of life will be open to friends and family at 2pm on March 5th, 2023 at Slaughter Beach Fire Hall, 359 Bay Ave, Milford, DE 19963

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