“The livestock industry has lost one of the best of its very own.”
Nationwide well-known, most respected livestock trucker Kenny Livingston of Abilene passed away Christmas morning.
“Dad was recognized for his excellent service transporting livestock locally and throughout the country,” according to daughter Stacia Wiley, Chapman.
Raised as a farm boy in Dickinson County, Livingston was a lifetime farmer, who became best known for Livingston Trucking.
With a diverse farming operation, Kenny was an innovator, “Of course Dad raised milo, soybeans, and wheat, but was the first farmer in the county to grow cotton,” Stacia said. “He also tried growing sunflowers but decided traditional grain crops of the area were the best.”
His main business was still trucking, nearly all livestock but occasionally transporting other freight.
“The business developed so Dad had a half dozen tractor trucks and livestock trailers to go with them,” Stacia said.
Behind the semi-tractor steering wheel millions of miles personally, Kenny had just completed hauling a load of cattle to Georgia the week prior to becoming ill.
“Actually, Dad trucked all over the nation,” Stacia said. “Cattlemen everywhere appreciated his dedicated service and care in handling their livestock.”
There were a handful of fulltime truck driver employees as well that many or more owner-operators who worked for the company.
“My older brother Chad has been in partnership with Dad in both the trucking and farming operations,” Stacia said. “There’ll be some transition, but Chad will continue the businesses like he has been working with Dad.”
A graduate of Dickinson County Community High School in 1966, Kenny then graduated with a mechanics degree from Salina Vo-Tech.
“Operating a trucking business requires considerable repairs and maintenance which Dad was capable of handling,” Stacia acknowledged.
Married to his wife Dana in 1986, family was always very important to Kenny. “Dad had a special interest guiding us in whatever my brothers Chad and Brian and I were doing,” Stacia credited.
His three grandchildren were quite special to Kenny. “Dad loved spending time with Kaylee, Tori, and Jaxon,” Stacia said. “There weren’t very many of their school and athletic activities that Dad wasn’t in attendance.”
Bishop Ron Bowell, Brethren in Christ Midwest Conference, conducted memorial services at Zion-Brethren in Christ Church, north of Abilene.
“Jesus is the resurrection and the life. He is Lord and Savior. He is the way, the truth, and the life. Those who believe in Him will live even though they die,” Bishop Bowell clarified.
“Kenny would want you to know this because he knows fully now. He has been face-to-face with his creator,” Bishop Bowell declared. “Kenny is in now in God’s hands. The God who made him and knows him perfectly. Many remember Kenny on the basis of their relationship with him. God remembers Kenny on the basis of his relationship with him. Not on his religion or lack of religion, but on the basis of their relationship.”
That emphatic message was soothing inspiration to the family, friends and customers attending the service.
“It became even more meaningful because Kenny accepted Jesus Christ as his savior after diagnosed terminally ill the first of December,” said cattleman-friend Arden Peterson.
Appropriate for Kenny’s dedicated service to his country, graveside military honors were presented by American Legion Post and Fort Riley Color Guard.
CUTLINE
Kenny Livingston, Abilene, served the livestock industry locally and nationwide through his Livingston Trucking.
The Livingston Trucking cattle triple-deckers were widely recognized throughout the country.
