Kenzie Hull

Remembering Kenzie Hull

Kenzie Hull was born in Bernice, Louisiana, July 24, 1924, to Arthur and Pearla. Growing up in the segregated South, he looked forward to venturing out in the world. Drafted at age 18, he left Bernice and ended up at the Pueblo Army Air Base in Pueblo, Colorado. After World War II, Kenzie was discharged from the U.S. Army Air Corp. Seeing a potential future in Pueblo, he decided to establish his roots there.

Pueblo offered many opportunities to Kenzie, which he took advantage of. He worked as a Millwright for CF&I Steel Works for 42 years. Kenzie had a strong work ethic and stood up for the rights of fellow employees. These traits made him a very effective shop steward in the United Steel Workers’ Union for more than 20 years.

As “Deacon Hull”, Kenzie was a faithful member of the Eighth Street Baptist Church for 70+ years where he had been ordained and served as a Deacon. He loved working in various aspects of the church and made certain his entire family followed suit. Even as adults, his children are active in church life.

Living in the Civil Rights era, Kenzie was civic-minded and often expressed his desire to make the world a better place while encouraging his children to do the same. He attempted to accomplish this goal by not only joining, but also actively participating in several community and social organizations. He helped organize and participated in a local Martin Luther King Civil Rights March in the 1960s and he traveled to the Nation’s Capital in 1995 to participate in the Million Man March. Politically savvy, Kenzie understood the importance of having the right to vote. He felt it his civic duty to vote all elections, local and national, and encouraged others to do the same.

As a member of the Pueblo Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for over five decades, Kenzie was actively involved in various roles. Serving on the Executive Committee, he held the positions of 3rd Vice-President and Membership Chairman. Being a staunch believer in the NAACP's mission, he tirelessly advocated for its causes and was instrumental in recruiting new members. In fact, his expertise in expanding membership earned him recognition with both the President's and Membership Awards for his dedicated efforts. Kenzie, also, co-chaired the Membership Committee.

As an activist in the 1960s, Kenzie worked with others to open the doors of opportunity for minorities. Three noteworthy accomplishments were: sponsored the first African American female to receive the DAR Good Citizen Award from the Daughters of the American Revolution, an organization that refused African American opera singer, Marian Anderson, from performing at Constitution Hall; helped the first African American female get a secretarial job in the front office of the Pueblo CF&I Steel Company; became the first African American family to move into the Aberdeen area of Pueblo.

The mission of the Masonic Lodge is to take ordinary men and make them better. In the late 1980s, Kenzie became a member of the Eureka Lodge #2 of the Masons where he served as Junior Deacon for many years.

The mission of the American Legion is: To enhance the well-being of America's veterans, their families, our military, and our communities by our devotion to mutual helpfulness. As a WWII Veteran, Kenzie became a member of the James McNeil Post #163 of The American Legion where he actively served as the Sargent-of-Arms.

Recently, Kenzie was inducted into the Weisbrod Aircraft Museum for his service in helping to run the B-27 bomber training during World War II. He became part of the growing and evolving black history display at the museum.

Often mistaken for the black country western singer, Charlie Pride, Kenzie volunteered to drive his convertible to chauffeur the Fiesta Day Queen and her court as well as the Juneteenth Queen and her court in various parades. He loved donning his cowboy hat, jeans, belt with big, flashy buckle, and fancy cowboy boots! 

For decades, Kenzie owned rental property in the Mesa Junction area. He saw the value in this venture and worked hard to keep his going. Being a rental property owner provided job opportunities for others, supported local businesses, kept him busy and also sharpened his skills as a handyman!

Socially, Kenzie was quick witted, always ready with a colorful or clever remark! He enjoyed being around people and they enjoyed being around him.

Kenzie was family oriented. Coming from a large family of 17 children, he loved returning to Bernice every year for his family reunion.

Kenzie was a youthful, good-looking man, often mistaken to be half his real age. He dressed well, ate nutritionally, and tried to stay physically active. In fact, Kenzie was known around town as that old guy that was still driving! And that was true. Up until three months before his passing, Kenzie was independent, living alone, grocery shopping and cooking for himself, washing and ironing his clothes, AND driving himself around town taking care of business!

Kenzie was an old-fashioned kind of man. He was an excellent cook, so prepared most meals from scratch. No canned vegetables for him! Black-eyed peas, pinto beans, collard greens, hot water cornbread, blackberry cobbler were some of his favorites. Regarding laundry, Kenzie hand washed his shirts, to ensure the neckline was clean, and hung his clothes on clotheslines to dry. He did not use clothes dryers!!!

Kenzie was optimistic about life, seeing it as half full rather than half empty. He rarely saw a problem as being impossible to solve. Always looked for different ways to solve things. He had his ideas about things, and rarely could be persuaded to change his mind once made up. His goal was to get you to see things his way!

Kenzie is survived by four daughters: Clara Mae Wright (Jimmy – deceased), Dr. Margie Farrell, CAPT Lillie Golson USPHS (ret), and Michelle Johnson (Ben); three sons: Bernard Snowden (Ethel), James Hull, and Darren Carson (Regina); loving grandchildren: Sharon Denise, Wyneta, Alycia, Calbert, Ezra, Kenzie, Jarrott, Kimberly, Erin, Merrill, Monique, Jaynene, Marie, Mark, Paul, Danielle, Darren, Jr, and DeAnthony; 29 great-grandchildren; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and other family members. Those who preceded Kenzie in death and will be waiting to greet him are: parents, Arthur and Pearla; sons, Lessell and Mack K; grandson, Vaughn, Jr.; grand-daughter, Annette; and 16 siblings: Ella, Gladys, Otha Lee, Mergie, Arthur Jr., Cain, Cleveland, Cortez, Curry D, Guver T, Joe, Lohman, Robert, Rufus, V.T., and Willie.

Though this chapter in Kenzie’s life came to a close just two months shy of his 100th birthday, it can clearly be stated that Kenzie Hull had a fulfilling, rich, blessed life. Rather than celebrating 100 years, we’re celebrating his lifetime of accomplishments. Yes, Kenzie succeeded. He did make the world a better place to live in for many. What a rich legacy he leaves behind!

Viewing: 12pm-5pm

Date: Thursday, May 23, 2024

Kenzie’s Celebration of Life Service is as follows:

Date: Friday, May 24, 2024

Viewing: 10 am

Service: 11 am

Internment: Imperial Memorial Gardens

Expressions of Love can be sent to:

Angelus Chapel
1102 East Evans Ave.
Pueblo, CO 81004

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