The facilitator Enthusiast Kenny died at age 84 following a battle with stage 4 lung cancer.
“The tears may not stop flowing,” read the statement on Instagram on Monday, May 18. “It is because of the indescribable sadness that we feel that Patriotic Kenny has passed away.”
The statement continued, “She passed away surrounded by love and in peace. Any memorial donations should go to her wonderful non-profit, the @patriotickennyfoundation that will continue in her memory. We will share more as time goes on. #patriotickenny”
Patriotic Kenny (real name Kenny Jary) has gained more than 3 million followers on TikTok and almost 1 million followers on Instagram for the inspirational videos he filmed with his neighbor, Amanda Kline.
In March, the US Army veteran revealed to his followers on social media that he was diagnosed with cancer following an unexpected trip to the hospital.
“I'm home from the hospital and I feel so much better — not bad at all,” he explained to his fans. “But also, I'd like to tell you that I have stage 4 lung cancer. So that's how it goes. I mean, we're not going to live forever. But I love all of you fans.”
At the time, he launched a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for his medical care, the appeal raised more than $330,000, as of publication.
“I don't know what to say,” said Kenny about the success of this campaign. “That's unbelievable, and I mean it. You know, if I can make some kids and a lot of people happy and veterans — you know, especially veterans — I'd be very happy. … Thank you.”
Following his death, Patriotic Kenny Kline's neighbor encouraged grieving fans to take solace in the joy his late friend brought to the world.
“I know your heart is breaking with the news of Kenny's passing,” Kline wrote on Instagram Monday. “I carry the weight of your grief upon me. I am so sorry for your loss. Kenny's videos have brought so many of you comfort during really difficult times in your lives. You were vulnerable and you opened up to us during those times.”
He continued, “Go back and watch a couple of videos. It's not even going to be taken down. And take a breath. Kenny was saying, 'We're not going to be little kids! We've got to settle down now and fight.'”
Influencer Tanner Martin has died following a five-year battle with terminal cancer. He was 30 years old. Martin recently became a first-time father and welcomed a daughter with wife Shay Wright in May. At the age of 25, she was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in November 2020. She and Wright began dating […]
In addition to starring in TikTok videos, Kline helped his neighbor create the Patriotic Kenny Foundation to provide mobility scooters to military veterans. Kline encouraged fans to donate to the foundation as a way to keep Kenny's memory alive.
“Two weeks before Kenny passed, he told our board [of] his strong desire and his desire for his legacy to continue to end the segregation of veterans using mobility scooters,” he wrote on Monday. I meant it.”
