Kenneth Louis Latimore Jr.

Rev. Kenneth "Kenny" Louis Latimore Jr., 67, of Garner, North Carolina, passed away in the early morning hours of July 11, 2026 after a recent diagnosis of an aggressive brain cancer.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth Latimore Sr. and Judith Latimore of Upton, Massachusetts.

Kenny is survived by his beloved bride, Kimberly Latimore; his sons, Kelly Latimore and his life partner, Evie Schoenherr; Keith Latimore and his wife Emily, and his grandchildren, Nolan, age 10, and Violet, age 7. He is also survived by his sister, Darlene Waterhouse (Bob) of Charlton, Massachusetts and brother, Rev. Allen Latimore (Cathy) of Torrington, Connecticut. He is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews whom Kenny loved dearly.

Kenny grew up in Upton, Massachusetts, and was the son of the late Kenneth Latimore Sr. and Judith Latimore. He later lived in Aurora, Illinois, for 21 years before making his home in Garner, North Carolina.

On the summer of July 31st, 1975, at the age of 16, Kenny experienced an event that would shape both his life and his ministry. After finishing summer workouts for his senior year of basketball, Kenny dove into a lake and broke his neck. He was told that he may never walk again. However, through what Kenny and his family knew to be a miracle from God, he regained the ability to walk. After taking a year off from high school to completely recover, he came back and played his senior year to make the all-star basketball team once again. He carried this testimony with him throughout his life, using his story to share the gospel and remind others of God's power, faithfulness, and ability to save and transform lives.

Kenny attended Berkshire Christian College, where he graduated in 1982 with a Bachelor of Arts in Theology and Elementary Education.

While attending Berkshire, he was involved in several sports, including basketball, cross country, and soccer. Kenny was an exceptionally gifted athlete. He was a star basketball player in high school, and went on to be named a college All-American in basketball for two consecutive years. His impact on the program was so significant, including scoring over 2,000 points for the basketball team, that his college later retired his jersey number (#12). His love of athletics continued throughout his life. He enjoyed playing tennis with friends, cycling, and participating in bike races.

Kenny met the love of his life and future bride, Kimberly while attending Berkshire Christian College. Fittingly, they were both shooting guards for their respective college basketball teams, and both wore the number 10, "a true match made in heaven" as Kim shared. During basketball season, their teams traveled together and they began to notice each other more. Kenny and Kim were naturally drawn to each other because they both shared a love for their Savior Jesus Christ, for people, and a desire for people to know the love of their Savior as well. They were united in marriage on July 5th, 1980.

He was a wonderful father to his sons, Kelly and Keith, and he loved his family with his whole heart. He was also an incredibly proud and loving Pa to his grandchildren, Nolan and Violet. His children and grandchildren brought him immense joy, and the love he had for them was evident in everything he did.

Kenny, along with his wife Kim, devoted his life to Christian ministry. Their motto was always, "to accept and love people where they're at". Kenny began his pastoral career at Oak Hill Bible Church in Oxford, Massachusetts, where he and his wife Kim served as part-time youth directors. Because of God working through Kenny and Kim by blessing and growing the youth ministry, Kenny was asked to become the full-time associate pastor while continuing to also lead the youth ministry. He served there for five years. Kenny and his family were then called to Aurora, Illinois, where he became associate pastor and youth pastor at Aurora Advent Christian Church in June of 1991. He was ordained into the ministry on September 29th of 1991, later becoming the church's senior pastor and served the congregation for a total of 21 years. He then was called to Garner, North Carolina, where he pastored Garner Advent Christian Church for 13 years before retiring in October 2025. Throughout his ministry, Kenny also spoke at numerous youth camps within the Advent Christian denomination.

In all his years of ministry, Kenny had a true passion for sharing the gospel and wanted more than anything to see people come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. He was deeply respected and loved by those who knew him. Through his preaching, teaching, mentorship, personal testimony, and faithful example, he led many people to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. His influence reached far beyond the churches he served, and his legacy of faith will continue through the countless lives he touched. Kenny truly lived out 2 Timothy 4:7 which says, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

A Celebration of Life will be held: August 7th, 2026 at 1pm Garner Advent Christian Church 1120 Vandora Springs Rd Garner, NC 27529

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Camp Suwannee Camperships and mailed to: Camp Suwannee Camperships P.O. Box 4313 Dowling Park, FL 32064