By Deborah Larsen
John Kenneth Prout
John Kenneth Prout, known to family and friends by his middle name, Kenneth, was born in Oxford, Michigan, on January 13, 1924, the son of George and Ethel Bailey Prout. Kenneth grew up in Rochester, where his father worked as a lineman with the Detroit United Railway (DUR). He attended Rochester High School and graduated in the class of 1942. After high school, Kenneth was employed at Pontiac Motors.
In July 1943, Kenneth enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 726th Amphibious Tractor Battalion based at Fort Ord, California. In late 1944, the 726th deployed to the South Pacific and participated in the capture of Peleliu Island. Kenneth was released from military service in February 1946.
After the war, Kenneth married, started a family, and was employed by the Michigan Bell Telephone Company.
John Kenneth Prout died at age 80 on May 8, 2004, and was laid to rest in Omena, Michigan.