OBITUARY: Kenneth Nolan McElhaney

Kenneth “Kenny” Nolan McElhaney, 65, of Ferris, passed away Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at 2:35 a.m. in Waxahachie, surrounded by his family.

Kenny was born October 5, 1955, in Ennis, Texas, to Louie Nolan and Joyce Lynn (Robinson) McElhaney. Kenny grew up in Garland, Palmer, and Ferris, where he and his cousin Robby Hobbs enjoyed causing trouble on his Grandpa Robinson’s farm. He was an accomplished pitcher for the West Garland baseball team where his dad coached.

Kenny grew up learning how to work on cars from his dad and Uncle L.D. (McElhaney), who helped him get his first job as a mechanic at a Chevrolet dealership in Hillsboro, Texas. Kenny loved talking about hot rods and the time he’d spent working on the pit crew of his buddy’s dirt track car. He also loved to reminisce about the brand-new Camaro he bought as a “kid” for $3500. He worked as a mechanic in several locations over the years, including Flowers Construction, UEC, and U-Haul.

Kenny met and married Kathy Goodin in 1980. Kenny and Kathy adopted their first son, Koda, in 1985 after being told they could not have children of their own. To their surprise, Kathy would later give birth to four more children: Kyle, Kalyn, Kele, and Kacy.

Kenny was the type of person that couldn’t leave home without bumping into someone he knew, and he loved to cart his “basketball team” around so he could show off his “rougheons”. Kenny was a great cook and was known for his omelets and chicken tacos.

Kenny and Kathy later divorced, and he began working as an HVAC technician for his cousin Corey Robinson. Kenny’s work took him to Temple, Texas, where he was briefly married to Linda Reynolds. After their divorce, Kenny moved back to Ferris to be near his family.

During his final years, Kenny worked at various retailers before retiring from Walmart. During his retirement he enjoyed building model cars, watching old westerns, and talking your ear off about nothing and everything. Kenny, AKA “Pimp Daddy”, loved being goofy and handing out nicknames – he would have defined himself as “a character”. 

Kenny is survived by his five children: Koda Nolan (wife Cassie), Kyle David William (wife Brittney), Kalyn Tanner (wife Satara), Kele Ryan (wife Caty), and Kacy Winona Lynn; his five grandchildren: Kalyana, Kaydan, Ryan, Collin, and Addie; his sister, Patricia Fleming; his nephew, Jamey Steele; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents as well as his nephew, Casey.

A memorial service will be hosted by the family on Sunday, May 2, 2021, at 2 p.m. at the Rose Garden and Historic Train Depot in Lancaster, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his name to Alcoholics Anonymous.