R. Kenneth Tonning, Sr., of Ponte Vedra, Fla., passed away July 27, 2022. He was born July 1, 1944, in Ridgewood, NJ. He stayed in Ridgewood throughout high school and then attended The Citadel in Charleston, SC for college. He then retired to Ponte Vedra in 2013.
After graduation from The Citadel in 1966 he joined the Army and was sent to Germany and then to Vietnam where he served for one year.
Ken began his career with ABC radio in New York City in 1968. He then worked as an account executive at Gannett’s Atlanta NBC affiliate WXIA before being named general sales manager of Gannett’s KUSA in Denver in 1985. Two years later he was promoted to president and station manager before moving on to Gannett’s WLTV in Jacksonville as general manager in 1989. He finished his career as general manager of Tampa’s WTSP from 2009 to 2013.
Ken’s passions away from work were flying, playing golf, spending time on the water and going on drives. Some organizations that he supported were The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund, The Gator Bowl and the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.
Ken is survived by his daughters, Kimberley (John) and Bethany (Eric); son, Ken
(Kimberly); grandchildren, Brewer, Jack, Kirsten, Lindsey, Alex and Sydney; sister, Sue. He was predeceased by his wife of 42 years (Lynn).
A celebration of his life will be held at The Ponte Vedra Inn & Club at 12pm, Saturday, August 13th in the Stockton Room. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund (https://tciayfund.org/ways-to-give/give/).
Posted in: Quinn Shalz Funeral Home
Posted on: 2022-08-05
Link to original obituary: https://www.quinn-shalz.com/obituaries/roy-tonning-sr