of Conway, AR

March 2, 1949 - April 5, 2024

CSM(R) Kenith Ray Bixler, 75, of Conway, Arkansas passed away peacefully at home on April 5, 2024 after successfully battling cancer for several years. Kenith is survived by his wife, Edra Jane Wade Bixler of Conway and four children; Timothy (Nadia) Bixler of Puyallup, Washington; Christie Bixler (Joe Bell) of Syracuse, New York; Michael (Patricia) Bixler of Fort Bragg, North Carolina and Mark (Leslie) Lusch of Norman, Oklahoma. Kenith leaves eleven loving grandchildren, Ryan, Logan, Corinda, Triston, Seth, Evah, Kieran, Ethan, Audrey, Sydney and Owen and eight great-grandchildren, Elettra and Ezra, Aiden, Brad and Cora-Jane and Storie, Winter and Ezekial.


Kenith Bixler lived an adventurous life of service to his family, community and his country. He was born in Alread, Arkansas on March 2, 1949 to Coy and Juanita Bixler. He grew up with his beloved brothers, James, Manuel and Benjamin on the family farm in Alread. At 17, he enlisted in the Army and served two tours in Vietnam, becoming a Drill Sergeant at 19 years old. He served in the Army for 28 years earning the rank of Command Sergeant Major and serving twice in combat, earning the Bronze Star and Legion of Merit. In 1990 and 1991, he was the Senior Enlisted Advisor overseeing the largest military logistics movement in history during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. His duty locations include Fort Lewis, Washington; Fort Polk, Louisiana; Syracuse, New York; Spokane, Washington; Wiesbaden, Germany; Fort Bliss, Texas; Bremerhaven, Germany and Kaiserslautern, Germany in addition to serving combat tours in Vietnam and the Persian Gulf. After retiring from the Army in 1994 he continued to serve his country as the Assistant Regional Director for the National Civilian Community Corps in Denver, Colorado and later as the Regional Director for the NCCC at Perry Point, Maryland.


Kenith was an avid motorsports enthusiast who enjoyed traveling in his motor home, riding motorcycles of any variety, snowmobiles and generally enjoyed going fast. He also loved to garden and grow his own food, an art he learned from his Mother. Throughout his life he participated in community organizations, he was a Freemason, member of the 4H Club, the VFW and American Legion. A graduate of the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy Class 32 and rode with the Patriots Guard Riders.


Kenith leaves behind a legacy of service that has seen two of his sons and four of his grandsons serve in the Army. He loved to tell people that the Bixler men have accrued over 70 combined years of service and his youngest grandson, Owen was denied service in the Army on account that he is only 7 years old.


Kenith spent his golden years traveling the United States with his beloved wife in their motor home, stopping to spend time with family along the way. You could often find him in his signature blue overalls in his garden, teaching his grandchildren everything he knew about growing the best garden. His family and friends will gather in Clinton, AR on Friday, April 12th to lay Kenith to rest and celebrate his amazing and impactful life. He will be greatly missed by those who were lucky enough to know him.


In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Wounded Warrior Project in his name. https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate

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