Kenneth Gene Harrington, age 82, entered this world September 22,1938, in Holland, Missouri, and passed away peacefully at his home in Charleston, MO, Friday, February 5, 2021, surrounded by his family.

From the beginning of his life, he was a fighter. He was born a little early, in those days there weren't any fancy baby incubators. He was placed inside of a shoe box in one of his Mother's dresser drawers with a hot water bottle to keep him warm. He didn't stay little forever. As he grew so did his family. He was number two in a line of eleven Harrington clan brothers and sisters. Growing up his dad (Clyde Harrington) knew how strong of a man he would be. As a young boy his dad would bet money, with the local men, that his young son could break the head bolts loose on car and truck engines. Seeing that he was so young, anybody would have thought it was easy money to be made. Wrong, he would grab the wrench and pop them loose. You know you've got to feed all those kids somehow. As he grew, he went to high school and helped his dad clean it as well.  At the end of his 11th grade year, the high school principal overstepped his boundaries and threw him down a flight of stairs. This resulted in his dad and him visiting the principal's office for a little "FRIENDLY'' Harrington chat. Needless to say, he didn't get to resume his education when they got done "CLEANING" up the situation. He then made a decision to enlist in the United States Airforce. He served his country with the 97th Air Refueling Squadron. He worked on planes, crash trucks, you name it he could fix it. Due to his vast mechanical knowledge, he was always on his Colonel's flight crew. That skill carried him all over the world with Colonel Manyo. On April 11th,1959 he married, "Bobbie Morse''. He then became dad to three daughters, "Shirley Jean, Barbara Ann, and Carolyn Sue ''. After his active duty years, he entered the Air Force Reserve and continued his mechanic work and flew some of the very planes he worked on. During one of those flights with an instructor, the plane was shut off and he was asked where he would emergency land. He pointed out a field and the instructor told him he couldn't fit between the trees. He then proceeded to bank the plane and slide between the trees vertically, he leveled it up and landed safely in the field. The instructor who had literally crapped himself asked, "Where in the world did a student learn how to fly like that?" He replied, "I forgot to mention that some of my brother's crop dust for a living." After his service ended in 1961,  he worked driving semi trucks. On November 22,1963 he found himself at Parkland Memorial Hospital and had to be moved from his room so that President Kennedy could take his spot. He went from trucking to river boat piloting, and at some point he helped dock the SS Admiral (Admiral Casino) at the St. Louis riverfront. He eventually became a Deputy Sheriff in Mississippi County Arkansas. They called him "Two Gun". However, in life things aren't always perfect and his marriage went awry.

Then on May 5,1978 at a local ice house in Blytheville, AR, he sat on a large block of ice and married his lovely bride, "Mildred Hartwick". After a cold start and a move to the St. Louis, MO area, things heated up and he became a dad again to his final daughter, "Dana Michele" and son, "Kenneth Bryan". During this time, he resumed the passion of racing that he had during his younger years. He raced his sprint car in Pevely, MO and made friends with Kenny Schrader (NASCAR legend). Returning to his mechanic roots he worked on trucks for a while and then returned to driving semi trucks. In 1984 he moved to the Charleston, MO area. In 1985 his life changed again when he came to know his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He raised his family and cared for his bride while trucking the United States sharing the Gospel. He always said he couldn't retire because the Lord hadn't told him to yet. There are many lives that were changed by the ministry he provided out on that road. In September of 2020 a work injury finally pulled him from his passion of driving and forced him to retire. Kenneth Harrington led a life of hard work, many passions, and dedication to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Surviving are his wife, Mildred Hartwick Harrington; his children, Dana (Paul) Bard of Charleston; Bryan (Heather) Harrington of East Prairie; Barbara (Jim) Thompson of Birmingham, AL; his step-children, Larry (Kathleen) Temple of Sikeston and Ralph Temple of Cape Girardeau; brothers and sisters, Tommy (Barbara) Harrington of Fulton, MS; Paul (Barbara) Harrington of Gosnell, AR; Danny (Theresa) Harrington of Russellville, AR; Susie Rounsaville of South Haven, MS; Mary Ann (Jimmy) Diloline of Mountain Home, AR and David (Becky) Johnson of Little Rock, AR; his grandchildren, Jamie (Eric) Burgess, Jennifer Webster, Erica Jenkins-Uselton; Savanna Powell, Dakota Harrington and Brooklyn Harrington; step grandchildren, Charlie Temple and Angie Temple; also, a number of great grandchildren and nieces and nephews;

He was preceded in death by his father, Clyde V. Harrington; mother, Mildred O. Green Thompson; step father, Ordie Thompson; brothers, Jerry Harrington, Johnny Harrington, Merle Harrington, Tony Harrington; sisters in law, Joyce Harrington and Judy Harrington; brother in law, Lynn Rounsaville; grandson, Chris Jenkins; granddaughter, Elise Harrington; his daughters, Carolyn Sue Cotton and Shirley Jean Wright; son in law, Curtis Cotton and step daughter in law Rosie Temple.

Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until the funeral hour at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 10, 2021, at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston.  Pastors Mike Johnson and Eric McGruder, will officiate.

Interment with military honors will follow at the Oak Grove Cemetery near Charleston under the direction of the McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com .