Kenneth Fritz "Kenny" Schwartz

Kenneth Fritz "Kenny" Schwartz, 103, of Fort Scott, Kan., died Friday afternoon, Sept. 5, 2014. He was born March 19, 1911 in Fort Scott, the son of Fred Gayle and Bertha Estelle (Fritz) Schwartz. He married Clara May Pigg Dec. 16, 1942 in Nevada, Mo., and she survives of the home.

Kenny attended Fort Scott schools, graduating from Fort Scott High School with the class of 1928. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force in 1941, serving as a glider pilot. He was honorably discharged in 1943 with the rank of staff sergeant.

He worked many years for Master Printers in charge of their office machine department.He was a master electrician and owned and operated the Schwartz Electric Construction Company in Pittsburg, Kan., from 1963 until he retired in 1982 to make his home at Lake Fort Scott,

Over the years he enjoyed farming and raising cattle on his grandparents' and parents' farm near Devon. He was a licensed pilot and enjoyed many years of flying. He and Clara also enjoyed traveling all over the world.

Kenny was a member of the First Presbyterian church for 91 years, serving several years as a trustee and elder. He was also a member of the American Legion, Elks Lodge, and AARP. He was a 33rd Degree Master Mason and was active in Devon Lodge AF & AM, Rising Sun Lodge No. 8, Scottish Rite of the Valley of Fort Scott, York Rite Bodies, Royal Arch Masons, Iola Chapter No. 8, Ascalon Commandery No. 69. He was also a member of Red Cross of Constantine, Mirza Shrine Temple, serving as chaplain for many years; Order of Quetzalcoatl, Shrine Directors Staff, Olive Chapter No. 13 Order of the Eastern Star, and Fidelis Deo Shrine No. 6. In all of these organizations he served over 50 years with distinction.

In addition to his wife, Clara, Kenny is survived by two children, Susan Jones and husband Jimmie of Fort Scott, and John Schwartz and wife Kathy of Aubrey, Texas; six grandchildren, Miranda Shoemaker of Fort Scott, Daniel Jones of Rogers, Ark., Elizabeth Ann Mitchell of Rogers, Ark., Kelly Schwartz of Denton, Texas, Nicholas Schwartz and wife Madeline of Fort Worth, Texas, and Steven Schwartz of Dallas, Texas; five great-grandchildren, Caitlin Shorter, and Kolby Shoemaker, both of Fort Scott, Alec Mitchell, and Gavin Mitchell, both of Rogers, Ark., and Aiden Jones of Bentonville, Ark. He was preceded in death by his parents, and an infant sister Willo Esther Schwartz.

Rev. Jared Witt will conduct funeral services at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014 at the First Presbyterian Church in Fort Scott with burial following at the Fort Scott National Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. The family will receive friends prior to the services at 10 a.m. at the church. Contributions may be made to the Mirza Transportation Fund or the First Presbyterian Church and left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701