Kenneth Lee Medecke, 66 years old, passed from this world on February 11, 2026, in Temple, TX.

Kenneth, AKA Kenny or Bags, came into this world with a New Year on January 1, 1960, in California. He graduated from Deer River High School, Class of 1978, in Deer River, MN. He married his high school sweetheart, Julie Chilson, in June 1979. Kenny joined the U.S. Army in 1984 to serve for 24 years, retiring in 2008. While on active duty, he did tours in Korea, Guantanamo Bay, and Iraq. Kenneth then went to contracting, where he worked in Afghanistan and Iraq. He returned home and worked for H-E-B as a mechanic in fleet services, retiring in 2025.

Kenny enjoyed the simple things. He loved his family, especially the children. He could be found on his porch with coffee and a cigar. He enjoyed reading westerns and was a skilled woodworker. He was always there to lend a hand, lend an ear, or offer a smart remark.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his father, Ernest Medecke; father figure, Robert Poenix; Father-in-law, Cecil Chilson; siblings, Donna Medecke, Ernest Medecke Jr., Barbara Rucker; nieces and nephew, Stacy RedEagle, Megan Chilson, and David Sundquist.

Kenneth is survived by his wife, Julie (Chilson) Medecke; children, Travis Medecke, Melissa (Dan) McCoy, and Jeremy Behnken; grandchildren, Elizabeth Platt, Briar Medecke, Ruby Medecke, Bradley McCoy, Danica McCoy, Carter (Hannah) Behnken, Alexandria Behnken, Victoria Struckman, Destiny Johnson, Randi Johnson, and Johnathan Johnson; great grandchildren Eleanor Behnken and Aaliyah Hopkins; mother, Jean Caldwell; and siblings, Charles Medecke, Cindy (Jerry) Love, and John (Luz) Medecke.