Charles Walter “Shot” (Erny) Kenton hung up his cowboy hat for the last time here on Earth, August 1, 2024. He was born June 12, 1951, to Genevieve Hamilton (Erny) Kenton and the late Charles Walter Erny, in Alliance, Nebraska. He spent his childhood growing up in Thedford, Broken Bow, Kearney, and Lexington with his mother and her children, Cathy, Deb, Sherri, Tammy, and Fred. After his grandfather’s death, the family returned to the family ranch, north of Thedford. In his high school years, he attended Thedford High School where he was in the graduating class of 1969. During this time is when he began one of his favorite rodeo sports, Bareback Bronc riding. In 1968, his junior year, he competed at the Nebraska State High School Rodeo finals where he won the chance to compete at the National High School Rodeo finals in Topeka, Kansas.
In 1994, he was united in marriage to Cindy (Burnham) Huffman from Burwell, and they made their home on the ranch north of Thedford.
Shot’s life mainly consisted of being on the back of a horse. From Bareback and Saddle Bronc riding to team roping and there wasn’t a colt he couldn’t get by. He was asked by many to break colts and put miles on horses, and he was always willing to teach others how to rope and ride, especially his nieces and nephews. Shot’s work experience took him to many different places. Some of those experiences included riding cutting horses for Willy Klingbeil, ranching for Floyd & Sharon Bryant at Box T, Glen Nutter and Mark Nutter, Blaine and Helen Sherman at Sherman Well Drilling, and Greg Perrett Construction. After retiring to town, he was always day working for whoever needed him to come help. He found joy in being able to help his friends and neighbors.
If riding wasn’t on his to-do list for the day, you would find Shot chasing coyotes with hounds, fishing, playing cards and Yahtzee, golfing, attending sporting events to watch the kids, or drinking beer with his buddies.
Shot was proceeded into death by his biological father Charles, his mother, Genevieve, Uncles - DeWayne Erny, Leroy Erny, Ernest “Speed” Erny, his half-sister Tammy From and nephew-in-law Jason Arensdorf. Left to remember the memories of him are Cindy Kenton, half-sister Cathy (Jim) Williams, Tagg (Jayme) From, Samantha From, Amanda From, Clayton Allen, Clint Allen, Brenda (Lee) Nelson, Jennifer Arensdorf, Jason (Lisa) Williams, several great nieces and nephews and too many friends to name them all.
A reception and book signing will take place on August 16th, from 1pm to 4pm at the Thomas Co. Fairgrounds in Thedford. Inurnment will be at the Cedarview Cemetery in Mullen, Nebraska at a later date. Memorials are suggested to Govier Brothers Mortuary in his name for designation at a later time.