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Kenneth Best Obituary
Kenneth Howard Best, 71, passed away on January 8, 2025, in Alamogordo, New Mexico. He was born on March 23, 1953, in Cleveland, Ohio to Harry and Harriet Best.
He was married to Donna Howell and to Bobbi Storm and was a longtime employee of Uptown Rentals in Alamogordo, New Mexico. He spent 4 years in the Navy. He also was an oil rig mechanic for 25 years at DFW, Texas.
Survivors include his daughter, Melissa Best of Alamogordo, NM; son, Joe Best; daughter-in-law, Jennifer Best; grandchildren, Jordyn, Hayleigh, Evan, Nathan and Reggie; great grandchildren, Azlynh, Ilyaih, Mila; dogs; best friend, Harley; and sister, Barbara; and Ruth Howell.
He was preceded in death by his father, Harry Best; mother, Harriet Best; his first wife and mother of his children, Donna Howell; and his 2nd wife, Bobbi Storm; and Nathan Howell.
The memorial service for Kenneth will be held at Scenic Chapel Friday, January 17th at 2:00 PM.
The Best family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Scenic Chapel to direct the services.
Our condolences go to his family and friends. He was a great friend to so many.
Bobbie Elston (Montana)
Kenny Best was my first friend in Alamogordo. He and his family moved to Alamogordo in 1957 from Ohio (if I remember correctly) the same week that my family moved to Alamogordo from Minnesota. Our families both stayed at the Alamo Courts Motel while we looked for houses. We both found houses after about 2 weeks and the friendships were established. Kenny came to most of my birthday parties, we attended Heights Elementary together from 1st grade and of course, graduated from Alamogordo High together.
This is our two familes having a picnic shortly after we moved in to our house on Pine Drive. That's my brother, Todd, my dad, Kenny, Harriet Best, me, Harry Best, Barbara Best (leaning back), and my sisters Nadine and Kay. Nadine and Barbara remain friends today! I learned to ride a bike on Kenny's bike in the street in front of his house.
Here we are off to a pool party for my birthday. In the back is Hank Hosford, Kenny, Tommy Sparks, Shannon Hosford. In the front is John Henry---Kenny's best friend and my 1st grade crush....my brother Todd, me and Steve Hosford. I have many home movies of the Best family and our family at the pool and on picnics to White Sands.
Here we are off to a Rainbow Christmas Dance in 1967. Kenny really didn't want to dance so we spent most of the night walking around, like the old friends we were, talking about stuff! I really wish we had stayed more in touch as the years went on, because he really was a great guy.
Kenny's senior photo.
I was so glad that Kenny came to our 40th reunion. We got to spend a little time catching up about our lives and I was able to tell him that I was sorry to hear that John Henry has passed away just a year or two before this. They had kept in touch all through the years. Even though we again lost touch, I will always remember my first Alamogordo friend very fondly. He will be missed in my heart. Goodbye, Kenny. Rest in Peace.
Tonya Miller (WilliamSon)
That's a wonderful tribute, Bobbie! Thank you for the post. Those old and real memories are the greatest!
Bobbie Elston (Montana)
Thank you, Tonya.
Bobbie Elston (Montana)
https://www.scenicchapel.com/obituary/Kenneth-Best?utm_campaign=marquee-share-button&utm_term=copy-link&utm_content=Share Obituary
Here is the link to Kenny's obituary.
Or search: obituary Kenneth Best Alamogordo, NM
Pamela Melton (White)
Bobbie, what a wonderful tribute to Kenny! Jim and I had an opportunity to visit with him also at our 40th and I seem to remember that he had been recently widowed at that time. I did not know he was in Alamogordo. We will plan to attend his funeral tomorrow! I will always remember Kenny to be such a sweet-spirited guy!
Bobbie Elston (Montana)
Thank you, Pam! I didn't know he was in Alamogordo either. I'm glad you will be attending his funeral. You can represent many of us who will be unable to attend.
Teresa Ortega (Ekmark)
Thank you Bobbie Elston for posting the wonderful pictures and stories of our classmate, Kenny Best. I really enjoyed reading the childhood stories of you and Kenny.
I too have a memory of Kenny from Heights Elementary School, specifically Mr. Nuñez's 6th grade class. Mr. Nuñez used a teaching method where he would divide the class into two teams (usually girls vs boys) and play a game where he would ask a question relevant to the material we had just covered.
As it turns out, Kenny had a tell. His tell was a mischievous grin. That grin would always let us girls know Kenny knew the correct answer.
In my minds eye I can still see that unique smile. And in the precious pictures Bobbie Elston posted, that smile is very evident.
Thank you for the memory, Kenny Best. Rest in Peace Classmate.
Amber Burch (Kendrick)
So sorry to hear about Kenny!! He had those pretty eyes and sweet smile!! We hung around a lot in High School, and he was such a fun loving guy, who was charming and witty! I Will cherish all the memories....RIP Kenny
Vivian Drewett (Zink)
Thank you for posting those shots, Bobbie, I too was at Heights Elementry since first grade and remember Kenny well, but
especially for those beautiful eyes and that little smile. He was always such a lovely guy and I am sorry not to have seen him at
our 40th. It's so sad that he was widowed twice. RIP dear Kenny.
Bobbie Elston (Montana)
Thanks, Teresa, Amber, and Vivian! The Heights memories are wonderful ones. Teresa, yes, he did always have a mischievous glint in his eyes! Here are some school photos of us from Heights: