Kenny Allen Melton February 13, 1979 - March 22, 2014
Kenny was born in Riverside, California on February 13, 1979. Kenny lost his battle with brain cancer on March 22, 2014 in Newport Beach, California.
Kenny grew up in Riverside and graduated from Poly High School in 1997. Kenny loved the game of soccer and played throughout his life starting in AYSO and progressing to club, high school and then several adult league teams in San Diego. After high school Kenny moved to attend college first at Orange Coast College in Newport Beach and then on to San Diego State University where he earned his bachelor’s degree.While attending college he worked at BJ’s Restaurant, surfed at the local beaches and enjoyed many trips to Mexico with friends.
After college Kenny traveled to Vietnam, eventually making his way to Beijing China, where he accepted a six month teaching job. After China he took up residence in Nosara, Costa Rica where he worked as a bartender and surfed almost every day.
On his return to California he enrolled in a field course at Boulder Outdoor Survival School (BOSS) in Boulder Utah where he survived for 28 days with little more than a knife, a water bottle, a blanket, and a poncho.
Kenny loved the outdoors, enjoying camping and backpacking with friends and family, and always practicing the “no trace left behind philosophy” he learned at BOSS.
He returned to San Diego, began substitute teaching by day and bartending at Capri Blu Restaurant at night, while attending school to earn his teaching credential in special education.
Kenny touched and was loved by many people as evidenced by the outpouring of support from around the world during his battle with cancer. Soon after his diagnosis friends created a web site (www.superkenny.org) to tell his story and track his progress.
Kenny is survived by his mother Meril Harrison and stepfather Allen Harrison of Newport Beach, his father Gary Melton and stepmother Dianne Melton of Riverside, his sister Megan, brother-in-law Brent, and nephew Andrew Duque, all of Newport Beach, his brother Greg Melton of San Diego, his grandmothers Helen Hardy Melton and Marjorie Souder both of Riverside and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins as well as many dear friends.
A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, April 1st 2014 at 1pm, at the Harborside Ballroom in the historic Balboa Pavilion, 400 Main St., Newport Beach, Ca 92661 **Valet Parking available and recommended. Additional self-parking also in Lot A located at 50 Main St. Newport Beach, Ca.
In lieu of flowers the family encourages donations on Kenny’s behalf to the National Parks Foundation (www.nationalparks.org) or The Kenny Can Foundation for brain cancer research (https://kennycan.org).