Kenneth Russell "Kenny" Dement, 78, of California, MD died November 13, 2013, at Hospice House in Callaway, MD.

Born July 8, 1935, in Callaway, MD he was the son of the late Harry Lee and Clara Evans Dement.

Kenny was employed by St. Mary's County Public Schools as a bus driver and bus driver instructor. After twenty years of dedicated service, he retired in 1997. He proudly served as a County Commissioner from 2002 to 2010. In December 2002, he was elected to the Board of Commissioners representing the First Commissioner District, which includes Ridge, Callaway, and Piney Point. He was also on the Board of Health and the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland from 2002-2010.

During his tenure as commissioner Kenny played a significant role in determining the yearly County budgets which totaled over $200 million each year. Kenny always made recreational needs and senior citizen issues a priority. He prided himself as being the commissioner for the average citizen. The five county commissioners that Kenny served with all stated that hey enjoyed working with him and that his presence will be missed.

Kenny had a long and active softball career, which earned him the nickname, "Mr. Softball" of St. Mary's County. He was the founder and organizer of the Slow Pitch League (1965), where he served as president for 35 years. He participated in the league, wearing many different hats. He was player, manager, umpire, coach, sponsor and administrator. He also served as the Director for ASA, NSA, and USSSA for St. Mary's County.

His job as Umpire Commissioner included assigning umpires for the St. Mary's County Umpire's Association. He was one of the original founders and charter members of the St. Mary's County Softball Hall of Fame. He was very active in every aspect of softball from being the Director of Slow Pitch Softball Tournaments to hosting the local television show, "The Hot Corner with Kenny Dement," on Metro Channel 10. Kenny's awards included induction into the Great Mills High School Hall of Fame, induction into the St. Mary's County Softball Hall of Fame, induction in the St. Mary's County Softball Umpires Association Hall of Fame, and induction into the Maryland Slow Pitch Softball Hall of Fame.

Kenny is survived by his sons, Michael of Hollywood, MD, Ronald (Debbie) of CA, and Jeffrey (Francesca) of LaPlata, MD; his sister, Loberta Malone of Alpharetta, GA; and seven grandchildren, Hanna, Brooke, Jake, Dylan, Alexandria, Ryan and Rochelle; three great- grandchildren, his loving companion, Mary Dean; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Shirley Marie Dement; his sons, Kenny Jr., "KD," and Joseph Lawrence "Jody;" his brother, Willard Dement and his sister, Lucy Blackwell.

Family will receive friends for Kenny's Life Celebration on Tuesday, November 19, 2013 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Reverend Joseph Calis on Wednesday, November 20, 2013 at 10:00 a.m., at Holy Face Catholic Church, 20408 Point Lookout Road, Great Mills, MD 20634. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Servings as pallbearers will be Dan Raley, Bill Lynam, Jimmy Hayden, Roy Alvey, Tommy McKay, Tom Hodges, Donald Knott, and Paul Trossbach. Honorary pallbearers will be Ronnie Delahay, Aggie Owens, Bubby Knott, Preston Hopkins, George Bean, Tyrone Harris, John Mickey, Junior Bailey, Snookie Miedzinski and Jimmy Strine.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice House of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.