Kenneth Ray Jary, the beloved U.S. Navy veteran and viral TikTok sensation widely known as “Patriotic Kenny,” passed away peacefully on Monday, May 18, 2026. He was 84 years old.
His close friend and neighbor, Amanda Kline, shared the heartbreaking news with his 4 million social media followers, stating that Kenny was surrounded by love and at total peace when he passed. He had been diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic lung cancer in March 2026.
Kenny Jary on his iconic ‘Patriotic Kenny’ mobility scooter., AI generated
Kenny Jary on his iconic ‘Patriotic Kenny’ mobility scooter.. Source: Bring Me The News
Life, Service, and Sudden Stardom
Born on January 29, 1942, in Ramsey, Minnesota, Kenny spent his life rooted in the Twin Cities area. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Cuban Missile Crisis, working in a helicopter refueling squadron aboard the USS Okinawa. After his military service, he dedicated 32 years of hard work to the Ford Motor Company’s Twin Cities Assembly Plant before retiring.
His life took an unexpected, magical turn in 2021 through a chance friendship with his neighbor, Amanda, a schoolteacher. When Kenny’s old mobility scooter broke down and he couldn’t afford to fix it, Amanda posted a video to TikTok asking for help.
The response changed his life overnight:
The Viral Wave: The video exploded, receiving over 12 million views. A GoFundMe campaign shattered its $5,000 goal, raising over $100,000 in just 48 hours.
The Catchphrase: Millions fell in love with his authentic, joyful reactions and his signature exclamation, “Oh my goodness, Amanda!”
National Spotlight: His infectious positivity landed him features on The Today Show, Good Morning America, and The Kelly Clarkson Show, as well as a recent appearance on Shark Tank alongside Mark Cuban.
A Lasting Legacy: The Patriotic Kenny Foundation
Instead of keeping the surplus funds raised by his followers, Kenny chose to pay the kindness forward. He and Amanda founded the Patriotic Kenny Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to gifting customized, heavy-duty mobility scooters to disabled and isolated veterans completely free of charge.
His Continuing Mission: To date, the foundation has provided nearly 200 mobility scooters to veterans nationwide, successfully pulling them out of isolation and giving them their independence back.
Before his passing, Kenny was fiercely adamant that the foundation’s work must outlive him. In accordance with his wishes, his family and Amanda have confirmed that the Patriotic Kenny Foundation will fully continue its operations. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are being directed to the foundation to keep putting scooters under veterans who need them most.
