Long-time OC,SHer & friend, Phil Kenyon (81), died early morning New Year’s Day. His dementia started progressing June 2024. He moved into a Veterans home [Phil served in the Navy] March 2025.
Thursday, 12.18.2025, ~noon, I received a text from his wife, Sandy: “Phil is not responding to anything or eating.” She added he is receiving excellent care & the staff has been wonderful. She advised she’d keep me updated.
Just over a week later, I texted her a “birthday hugs” bitmoji; in her reply, she wrote Phil “keeps ‘hanging on'”.
Then, early morning New Year’s Day, 01.01.2026, came this text: “Phil passed at 2:30 this morning. He is at peace. You will always have an open invitation to visit.”
That last sentence struck me. Phil & Sandy had owned-lived in the unique home [for which I gratefully have their schematics-plans] in Plato Center IL (now considered far west Elgin IL) until they moved to SC in 2014. I’d always intended to go see them in their new home, but, life happens; now, I deeply regret not going.
[If you’d like, in lieu of flowers, please donate to the Darlington County Humane Society.]
Becoming Family
Like me, Phil was born in Elgin IL. We also shared a passion for classic cars. I first met him & Sandy through the former Kane County Gearheads & the Northern IL Street Rod Association.
Initially, Phil was just an older guy with a modified 1928 Essex (& an equally-cool cabover, which can be seen in the OC,SH original collage with this post, reflected in his Essex, an artistic photo I took). But, then, my grandparents’ anticipated move to an assisted-living facility in Mt Morris IL meant losing 1 of the garages I was using for my then-car family. So, I attempted to find a place to house all my cars, versus having them scattered around the area.
Immediately, several people told me to talk to Phil because he had a huge heated barn-garage at his home. I looked at several other places, but despite the then-slightly higher cost & a little uncertainty-hesitation, my gut coaxed me to choose Phil’s. That decision to sign on the dotted line brought stability to my cars … & me.
Phil & Sandy quickly became family, & they gifted me a key to the garage so I could drive my cars whenever I wanted. During the 13+ years my cars lived at their place, I … bought 4 cars & sold 5 … took many creative pictures of my cars in various locations on their property … had 2 open heart surgeries (01.06.2003 & 11.11.2011) … hosted several events … had numerous friends & family stop at “the barn” to see my cars … road tripped … worked for 3 companies. I also learned more about vehicles from Phil & life from Sandy.
Finales
10.05.2014 was the last Sunday I called to tell them I was driving to their home to get my garaged cars out for the day. The following Friday (10.10.2014), they started their drive to SC. By then, my car collection had dwindled to 2 Caprices (1979 “winter warrior” sedan & 1989 “summer cruiser” Brougham; both effectively replaced in 2016 by my 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis LS) & my 1981 MC SC. I still badly wanted to buy their property. Loved their unique house &, of course, the barn-garage.
Their departure left a distinct void. Through the years, their home had become a 2nd home, a place to drive cars, chat & relax. I spent a few July 4ths standing on their hill, spinning 360 degrees to see many different firework displays, & the immediate post-9|11 visits were especially eerie with no plane noises or sightings.
I helped at their pre-move “barn sale”, arranging items, etc. When an attendee noticed us, he asked Phil if I was his son. Phil quickly replied: “No … but close.”
