MINNEAPOLIS — “Patriotic” Kenny Jary, the Minnesota Navy veteran-turned-global TikTok star, has died. He was 84.
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The news comes just weeks after it was announced that Jary was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.
“The tears may never stop flowing,” read a post from Jary’s social media accounts Monday evening.
“It is with the most indescribable sadness we share that Patriotic Kenny has passed. He experienced the most profound love and was Earth’s bright light. He passed surrounded by love and he was in peace.”
Kenny had over 3 million followers on TikTok.
KARE 11 first met Jary in 2021, after a video he posted with the help of his neighbor, Amanda, went viral on TikTok. In it, Jary explained that his mobility scooter, known all around Mahtomedi, Minnesota, for its proud, patriotic display, had broken down.
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From there, Jary amassed thousands of dollars in generous community donations, enough to buy him two new scooters, a safer place to live and to fulfill his pledge to pay it forward for other veterans in need.
Soon after he gained internet fame, Jary banded together with Amanda and others to establish the Patriotic Kenny Foundation, which supports veterans through the gift of mobility scooters.
The foundation said nearly 200 veterans to date have received scooters free of charge.
Monday’s social media post asked anyone who wishes to honor Jary to contribute to the Patriotic Kenny Foundation.
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