A Navy veteran who became an unlikely social media icon in his final years, Kenneth Jary died on May 18, 2026, at the age of 84. Known to millions as 'Patriotic Kenny,' Jary transformed a late-life viral moment into a philanthropic mission that provided mobility and dignity to hundreds of his fellow veterans.

His final chapter began in 2021 when his neighbor, Amanda Kline, filmed his reaction to the local community replacing his broken mobility scooter. The footage of Jary exclaiming, "Oh my goodness, Amanda!", resonated with a global audience, leading to a GoFundMe campaign that raised over $100,000 in two days. This momentum birthed the Patriotic Kenny Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to gifting mobility scooters to veterans. Jary insisted the organization operate "free of red tape," a direct response to the bureaucratic hurdles he knew many former service members faced. By early 2026, the foundation had provided more than 130 scooters to disabled veterans across the United States. Jary often spoke of the emotional weight of these gifts, noting that he would "just break down" during the presentations. He told supporters that the work felt like he was "going back into the United States Navy."

This late-life redefinition was the culmination of a life built on quiet duty. Jary was born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he grew up in a military family. His father served in the Army and his Uncle Jim served in the Navy during World War II. Jary followed their path, enlisting in the United States Navy Reserve in 1959 before transitioning to active duty. During the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, he served on the USS Okinawa as part of a helicopter refueling squadron. After his service ended in 1965, he returned to St. Paul and began a 32-year career at the Ford Motor Company plant. This long tenure at Ford provided the steady backdrop for his life until his retirement, reinforcing the values of hard work and consistency that he later brought to his foundation.

His personal life was marked by a similar sense of loyalty. Though his 1965 marriage to Carol Marsh ended in divorce in 1988, the two remained close friends until her death in 2018. This enduring bond reflected the "bright light" persona his neighbor Amanda Kline later described. Jary’s rise to fame on TikTok, where he eventually amassed over 4 million followers, allowed him to share his brand of patriotism with a younger generation. As noted by Reserve & National Guard Magazine, Jary viewed his platform as a way to prepare the next generation to take over the responsibility of honoring their country. His story was even adapted into a children's book in 2023 titled 'Kenny's Bright Red Scooter.' He used his platform to encourage others to "be out there with patriotism," viewing the flag as a vital symbol for the next generation to carry forward.

In early 2026, Jary celebrated his 84th birthday by fulfilling a bucket-list dream of getting his first tattoo, an anchor and three stars representing his children. He remained humble despite his international reach, often remarking on how "little old me from Minnesota" could make such an impact. His death was announced on May 18, 2026, prompting a massive outpouring of tributes from his followers. As reported by Us Weekly, Kline shared that Jary experienced "the most profound love" in his final years.

Kenneth Jary will be remembered for proving that a person's most significant work can happen long after retirement. He turned a personal struggle with mobility into a national movement, ensuring that his fellow veterans could move through the world with the same dignity he championed. His legacy is found in the hum of every red scooter he helped provide and the millions of people he inspired to lead with kindness and a sense of duty. He is survived by his three children and three grandchildren.