Kenneth Lee “Kenny” Porterfield, 87, of Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club in San Antonio, Florida, passed away on August 29, 2026, in Wesley Chapel, Florida.

Kenny was born on December 2, 1938, in the family home in Kansas City, Missouri, to Otis and Edythe Violet Porterfield. The youngest of nine children, Kenny always joked, “The old man finally got a winner!” He had fond memories of his childhood, his time with the carnival, and the experience of growing up surrounded by so many siblings.

In 1959, Kenny met Peggy Blackburn at Allen’s Drive-In Restaurant. They married on May 27, 1960, in Kansas City, beginning 66 years of marriage together. Kenny often wondered aloud, “How could I have gotten so lucky?” Peggy did just about everything for him—including putting the money in his billfold.

Kenny served his apprenticeship as a machinist with Redman’s Tool & Die before working for Benson’s, where he was responsible for producing essential parts used during the Apollo 11 mission. In 1971, he began working for the Santa Fe Railway. He took great pride in being able to say, “Thirty years on the railroad, injury-free!”

Kenny and Peggy raised their daughters, Brenda and Sandi, in Independence, Missouri. In 1984, with the help of family and friends, they constructed their own earth-contact home on five acres, as well as a similar home for Brenda and David. Kenny eventually built his own 18-hole chipping and pitching golf course on the property.

In 2011, Kenny and Peggy moved to Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club in San Antonio, Florida, because, as Kenny put it, he “wasn’t getting any younger!” He became known for playing more than 200 rounds of golf each year—while still wondering whether the membership was worth it. During his years on the course, he proudly made two holes-in-one.

Kenny loved to travel. Together, he and Peggy visited all 48 continental United States, traveled to Las Vegas countless times, and, in more recent years, made Biloxi a favorite destination. Although he claimed he was a born loser, Kenny compared the casino to a penny arcade: he was not there to break the bank, just to have fun.

His other favorite pastimes included visiting the pool and hot tub, cruising around in his golf cart, bowling, and tinkering in the garage. His creative mind could always devise a new place to store a tool—although good luck finding it the next time it was needed. Kenny also loved to sing, especially classic country music, and could create his own tune on the spot.

Kenny never met a stranger. He may not have remembered their names, but they always remembered him. He was famous for singing a single line of a song—even if he had just made it up—and for his unforgettable one-liners. You never knew what Kenny might say, but he was one of the few people who could deliver an insult and still leave you laughing. His quick wit and larger-than-life personality made a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him.

During his final month, Kenny enjoyed a trip back to Kansas City to visit his family. He had also just returned from another favorite trip to Biloxi on August 28.

Kenny is survived by his beloved wife, Peggy Porterfield of San Antonio, Florida; his daughters, Brenda Vaughn and her husband, David, of San Antonio, and Sandi Hall and her husband, Alan, of Napoleon, Missouri; his granddaughters, Amanda Vaughn and Allison Vaughn, both of San Antonio, Ashley (Pearson) Miller and her husband, Andrew, of Richmond, Missouri, and Shannon (Pearson) Barnhart and her husband, Lake, of Sibley, Missouri; his great-grandsons, Levi Miller, Ivin Miller, Trace Miller, Lawson Barnhart, and Wesley Barnhart; his foster great-granddaughter, Lilly; his brothers, Duane Porterfield and his wife, Joyce, and Larry Porterfield and his wife, Marilyn, all of Independence, Missouri; and many loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Patricia Porterfield; his parents, Otis and Edythe Violet Porterfield; his sisters, Elizabeth “Betty” Gorman, Shirley Cumberland, and Lois Howard; and his brothers, Robert Porterfield, Otis “Corky” Porterfield, and Donald “Donnie” Porterfield.

A Celebration of Life for Kenny’s local family and friends will be held at the Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club Community Center on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. This will be located at:

Tampa Bay Community Center

11245 Old Tampa Bay Drive

San Antonio, FL 33576

A second Celebration of Life will be held in the Kansas City area at the residence of Kenny’s nephew, Jimmy Gorman, on Friday, October 9, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. This will be located at:

Jim Gorman's address:

2240 Makayla Lane

Greenwood, MO 64034

An additional celebration of life will be held at Peggy's Nephew Jimmy Blackburn's Residence on Oct 11 at 2:00 p.m. This will be located at:

12200 N Eastern Ave

Kansas City, MO 64166