Retirement celebration to be held for Larry Kennon

Employees with Southern Missouri Community Health Center (SMCHC) invite the public to join them in celebrating “a local hero,” Larry Kennon, a board-certified family nurse practitioner. Kennon has served the country, the state and the local community for almost 60 years. He began his active service as a Combat Medic from 1964 to 1967 with the U.S. Army. Upon returning to the States, Kennon enrolled in school to receive his nursing diploma from Barnes Hospital School of Nursing in St. Louis. He joined the Missouri Army National Guard in 1981 and served as a registered nurse in the Army Nurse Corps. During this time, he also completed his nurse practitioner certification through the University of Missouri-Columbia. Kennon returned to active duty as practitioner army nurse with the Corps from 1986 to 1988. In 1989, he became the chief nurse for the State of Missouri with the 135 Mash Unit. He joined the West Plains community in 1990 at the local hospital now known as Ozarks Healthcare and later at Burton Creek Rural Medical Clinic. “We were privileged to have Larry join us here at Southern Missouri Community Health Center in 2006 as a family nurse practitioner until December 2023,” said SMCHC officials. All are invited to join in celebrating Kennon’s career and legacy from 4 to 6 p.m. Jan. 18 at SMCHC, 1115 Independence Drive in West Plains. Those unable to attend but who would still like to participate may send a card to Kennon by mailing it to 7232 County Road 9900 West Plains, MO 65775.