Retired Army Colonel, Alton C. "Red" McKennon, Jr. died at his home in Kennewick, WA, surrounded by loving family on May 15, 2023, after a long battle with Alzheimer's. He was born in Honolulu, HI, on May 5, 1950, firstborn of the late Colonel Alton C. McKennon and Sybil McKennon.

Red enlisted in the Army in the summer of 1968 and was then selected for, and attended, the United States Military Academy Preparatory School at Fort Belvoir, VA. He'd chuckle while telling you his grades weren't good enough to get straight into West Point from high school. He then attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he also attended Airborne school. He graduated from West Point in 1973. He was commissioned as an Infantry Officer, where he completed Air Assault and Ranger school. A couple years later, he completed flight school and became an Army Aviator.

Over the course of his more than 30 active duty years in the Army, Red had a career most can only dream of. Some of his jobs included serving as an Exchange Officer with 9 Squadron of the Royal Australian Air Force, Commander of Troop D 4th Squadron 7th Cavalry in Korea, Battalion S-3 Operations Officer in the 82nd Airborne Aviation Brigade, Battalion Commander of the 1st of the 25th Attack Aviation Battalion in Hawaii, Inspector General of the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii, Inspector General on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff of Operations of United States Army Europe, and Deputy Chief of Staff of Personal United States Army Europe. His final assignment was as Director of the United States Army Aviation Test Command at Fort Hood, TX. As an Aviator, he flew many of the "birds" of those times: Hueys, Scouts, Cobras, Blackhawks, and even the Comanche (one of only two working models). He loved to fly.

Red also had a love many can only dream of, marrying his wife Patti in 1978 and becoming "that couple." The couple who always held hands, who always danced together when music played. The couple who had just as much fun together eating dinner in front of the TV and watching the Bachelor as they did at a fancy party or night on the town. Their love story is one for the ages.

Upon retiring from the Army in 2002, he moved to Kennewick to work for CH2M HILL as their Director of Training and Procedures for the Hanford Nuclear Site, not knowing the Tri-Cities area would become home for the next 20 years. He fully retired in 2012.

Red was a man of great integrity. He loved his country. He was a "soldier's soldier," who loved the troops. He was a gentleman, a man of faith, a good mentor, and a faithful friend. He had blue eyes that smiled and that often had a mischievous twinkle. He loved the beach, the mountains, skiing, running, gardening, hard work, and red wine. He loved learning, history, reading, travel, and taking the scenic route even when it sometimes meant getting lost along the way. He'll be remembered by family and friends for his kind heart, generous spirit, infectious laugh, and sense of humor.

He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 45 years, Patti; children: Patrick and his wife Stephanie, Kate and her husband Ryan; grandchildren: Rhys and Maeve; and sisters: Helen "Nani" and Elizabeth "Wiz", as well as many extended family members and friends.

The McKennon family would like to thank all the home health caregivers who cared for Red, Walla Walla Veteran's Affairs, and all those in, and associated with, their home-based primary care program, and the Chaplaincy Hospice for their assistance during his final days.

He will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors at a future date to be scheduled. An informal Celebration of Life is scheduled for the evening of July 21st at Red Mountain. For more location information and to RSVP, please contact CelebrateRedsLife@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to organizations of your choice, local or national, that care for Veterans, support Alzheimer's research, or help with hospice care.