Curtis Kenagy

On Sunday, April 6, 2025, Curtis Kay “Curt” Kenagy passed away unexpectedly and peacefully at his home near White Oaks, New Mexico.

Curt was a faithful companion, loyal friend, and caring sibling whose cheerful presence will be greatly missed. Those who knew him will remember him as a gentle soul, humble, kind-hearted, supportive and generous, always willing to help others. He loved to laugh and to invent ingenious, sometimes hilarious, solutions to practical problems. It was fun to be around him.

He was born in Silverton, Oregon on Sunday, March 16, 1947, to Edward “Kelly” and Edna Kenagy, and for his first eight years he lived near his extended family in the Whiskey Hill area east of Hubbard, Oregon.

In 1955, the family relocated to an 80-acre farm in the Silverton Hills, where Curt learned the art of mechanical tinkering while working alongside his dad. By high school, he was milking cows and selling the milk to help pay for college.

At Silverton Union High School, Curt was known for his brains, musical talent, good humor, and natural leadership abilities. He graduated in 1965 as class salutatorian and student body president. He went on to earn a degree in electrical engineering from Oregon State University in 1969.

From there, he launched a successful career as a civilian electrical engineer, first with the U.S. Navy, then the U.S. Department of Energy. He was based in Hawaii and several locations in California, finally settling in 1982 with his wife Pam near Albuquerque, New Mexico. His work required frequent travel to Russia, the United Kingdom, and strategic locations in the US.

In 2001, Curt retired early with Pam to their remote 47-acre property in the high desert near White Oaks, bordering the Lincoln National Forest. He became an active and valued member of the White Oaks Volunteer Fire Department, and for a short time, he and Pam co-owned the “No Scum Allowed” saloon in White Oaks. He enjoyed tinkering on his own projects at his own pace. He used an innovative construction system to build his own house and owned a portable sawmill.

He also helped care for an ever-changing variety of animals, some intentional, many stray. He also helped his neighbors solve many issues arising from living remotely. He could fix literally anything.

In keeping with his private nature, he asked that his remains rest on the White Oaks property.

Survivors include his wife Pam Lewis of White Oaks and siblings Darlene Blackstone, Karen Marquiss, and David Kenagy, all of Silverton.