Erby Kenerson

Erby Lee Kenerson passed away surrounded by family at his home in Centennial, Colorado, on Monday May 25, 2020.  He was born on February 12, 1941, to Mary Stone and General Kenerson, Sr. in Winnsboro, Louisiana.  Erby Kenerson is survived by his daughters Jessica and Katherine, and 3 grandchildren, Monroe, Coralie and Otis.  He is also survived by nine brothers and sisters.  He was preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, Gayle Jeanine Hope Kenerson.

Erby was born on a family farm in Franklin Parrish, Louisiana, and worked in all areas of that farm.  He was an active member of the New Farmers of America Organization and enjoyed showing livestock at the Southern University Livestock and Poultry Show in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. One of his favorite memories while growing up was earning an award for showing cattle at one of these events.

Erby’s primary and secondary education took place in Franklin Parish school system during the era of U.S. segregation. He graduated from Franklin Parish Training School in 1959 and enrolled in the Electrical Engineering program at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering in 1963. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Army. During his tour of duty, he was deployed to South Korea for peacekeeping after the Vietnam war.  Erby earned the rank of Captain in the army and was honorably discharged in 1967.

After military service, Erby was hired by the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation and worked in several states including California, Washington state, New Mexico and Colorado.  He met his wife Gayle during his tour in Coulee Dam, Washington.  The family moved to Colorado in 1980.

In 1989, Erby was selected by the Foreign Activities Department in Washington D.C. for an assignment with the U.S. Embassy and he and his family moved to Cairo, Egypt.  There, Erby worked with the Egyptian government to update electrical systems at the Aswan Dam and power substations between Aswan and Cairo.  Erby and his family moved back to Colorado in 1995. 

Upon his return, Erby continued to work with the Bureau of Reclamation, traveling to projects in the United States until he retired in 2002. In retirement, he began a consulting business named Front Range Hydro with two other engineers, which took him to jobs in the U.S., Nepal and Brazil. Erby finally retired from engineering in 2016. 

Erby enjoyed teaching math and quantum physics to unsuspecting friends, family and visitors. Erby had a tenacious personality and was detail oriented in his work life. He valued honesty, hard work, and was passionate about providing service to others.  In fact, one of his favorite activities was volunteering at Someren Glen Retirement Home. In December, 2019 he was awarded the Earthen Vessel award at their annual gala, awarded to one recipient per year, in order to “pay homage to…Erby Kenerson, a Someren Glen volunteer whose outstanding service has enhanced the lives of residents beyond compare”. Erby also volunteered at the University of Colorado Medical Center. 

As long as his children can remember, Erby was always known to say, “Life is Good”. 

Due to the current situation with COVID-19, all services at Fort Logan, Colorado are being postponed until deemed safe for ceremonies. We will hold a memorial service with military honors in the summer of 2021. 

Donations: In lieu of flowers or other gifts, donations may be sent to children without access to food at:

www.feedingamerica.org/donate