Thoral Lavar Kenner, 88, was born to parents Harold and Thelma Kenner in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho on August 15, 1934 and died on February 23, 2023 in Oakdale, California.
Thoral passed away peacefully at home with his devoted wife/sweetheart Rosie, family, and caregiver at his side.
He married the love of his life Rosemay Goularte on July 10, 1954. They were together for 72 years, married for 68½ years.
Children:
Kimberly (Terrence) Chambers
Britt (Karen) Kenner
Patrice (Tim) Pitassi
Grandchildren:
Heather Kain
Joshua Kain
Sadie (Quinn) Chambers
Reece Kenner
J.P. (Shawna) Pitassi
Jenessa Rosemae Pitassi
Jarod (Corissa) Pitassi
Great grandchildren:
Brandon Castenada
Jenessa Pitassi
Hayden Pitassi
Timothy Pitassi
Bryan Pitassi
Henry Pitassi
Thoral’s family left Idaho in 1942 and moved to Ceres, California. He attended school at Ceres Union School, then the family moved to Oakdale where he graduated from Oakdale High School in 1953.
Thoral and Rosemay met in 1951 at her Modesto High School dance. They started dating and married on July 10, 1954 in Virginia City, Nevada. In 1956 the newlyweds moved to San Diego, California when Thoral enlisted in the United States Navy. He served from 1956-1958 where he served on active duty as a machinist on the USS Nereus Submarine Tender. After receiving an Honorable Discharge from the US Navy, the young family moved back to Modesto where Thoral worked at several jobs. From 1960 to 1969 at different times he worked at Marathon Paper Plant, Modesto City Schools where he drove a school bus, and Bordens Dairy Products driving and delivering milk.
In the 1970’s, he went to work for Title Insurance & Trust Company in Modesto.
In 1973 Thoral opened the first Title Company in Oakdale, Modesto Title Guaranty Company. In 1974, Thoral and Rosemay bought and became owner/operators of Oakdale Equipment Rental and ran a very successful business for 25 years until they retired and sold the business. Although he retired and liked to be busy, Thoral continued to do tractor work for local farmers and ranchers. Thoral has been a lifelong member of the LDS Church and held many positions throughout the years. The couple joined and became members 50 years ago of the Modesto Area A’s Model A Club and have enjoyed many wonderful friends and countless trips that they loved while touring the United States and Canada in their beloved 1929 Model A Ford Coupe “CRICKET”.
The couple was very passionate about traveling the world and loved new adventures.
They led a very active life in their church and community; family time together was very special with lots of activities always going on.
Thoral will be remembered as a loving and loyal husband, son, brother, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He will be greatly missed.
His family would like to acknowledge his kind and patient caregiver Tammy Johns.
Funeral information as follows:
Thursday, March 9, 2023, 9 a.m. Viewing, 10 a.m. Service, LDS Church, 1111 East A Street, Oakdale, CA.
Burial following at Valley Home Cemetery with Military Honors, 30705 East Lone Tree Road, Oakdale, CA.
The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader
The Riverbank (Calif.) News
March 8, 2023
