Richard Franklin Kearney (1932-2015)

KEARNEY, WILLIAMS, WELSH, SONGER, DAVIS, ROUSH, RUSZCZYK, PORTER, JENSEN, JONES, MALONEY

Posted By: Barry Mateer (email)
Date: 1/15/2018 at 01:45:36

Richard Franklin Kearney, 83, died Monday, December 7, 2015, in Presbyterian SeniorCare, Southminster, Washignton.
He was born November 7, 1932, in Clarke County, Iowa, a son of the late Gilbert Ross Kearney and Edna Bernice Williams Kearney.
Mr. Kearney served in the U.S. Army, where he received the National Defense Service Medal.

He began his saddlehorse career in his home state of Iowa during his high school years. He experienced much success with Dr. E.L. Robinson in Lee's Summit, Mo., as head trainer. Most noteworthy was his winning of the Junior Stake in Lexington, Ky., with his horse Superior Odds in 1969. On January 10, 1992, he was awarded "Horseman of the Year" by Chapter 13 United Professional Horsemen's Association, and in 2002, was awarded "Trainer of the Year" by American Saddlehorse Association of Ohio.
Mr. Kearney moved to Washington in October 1971 to pursue another training opportunity with Lakeview Farms. During the coming years, he would ride Superior Odds to the Five-Gaited Stallion Champion and Five-Gaited Reserve Grand Champion.

Mr. Kearney and his wife began Kearney Farm and Stables in 1977 in Prosperity. It was here that he raised Catalyst, a light chestnut with flaxen mane and tail American Saddlebred that sired numerous champions throughout his standing lifetime. In Prosperity, he and his wife enjoyed many happy years with their family, friends and grandchildren.

He and his wife were members of Upper Ten Mile Presbyterian Church in their hometown of Prosperity. On May 6, 1956, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, he married Nancy Lou Welsh Kearney, who survives.
Also surviving are two sons, Richard (Cheryl) Kearney of Amity and Roger Kearney of Prosperity; a daughter, Deborah (John) Songer of Cullman, Ala.; three sisters, Alice (Melvin) Davis of Murray, Iowa, Colleen Roush of Indiania, Iowa, and Dowell Kearny of Portland, Ore.; seven grandchildren, Megan (Chas) Ruszczyk, Jacqueline (James) Porter, Amy Songer, Scott (Maggie) Songer, Ross Kearney, Sam Kearney and Kaylyn Kearney; two great-grandchildren, Michael and Ella Porter.
Deceased are a brother, Roger Kearney, and three sisters, Lorrine Jensen, Lorna Jones, Marion Maloney.
Friends will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the time of service, Friday, December 11, in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. Burial will be held at 2:30 p.m. Monday in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township. Military honors will be accorded by American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post 175.

www.NealFuneralHome.com.