Kenith Carswell

     Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

     In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

     For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.   (1 Corinthians 15: 51-53)

  Life Reflections

Kenith Ivan Carswell was born October 21, 1967, at Naval Hospital Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. He was the eldest born son to Rev. Lewis William Carswell and Theodoshia Louise Owens. He departed this world on August 08, 2025.

He attended public schools in Okinawa, Japan, Turner School in Kansas City, KS, and Shawnee Mission, in Johnson County, KS. In 1985, he graduated from Shawnee Mission West with academic honors. Throughout his primary education (elementary, junior high, & high school days), he was an outstanding athlete playing baseball, basketball, and football. In his earliest days of education is when he began mentoring other student athletes. He would regularly offer suggestions to improve, but mostly he would offer encouragement along with a smile and that laugh.

He attended Johnson Community College as an outstanding member of their baseball team and continued his academic success earning an Associate’s Degree. During his educational phase, Kenny chose his career path as A Professional Hitting Instructor and began to develop his skills by working at All-American Indoor Sports. Despite knowing his occupational passion, he continued his education and playing career at Norfolk State University. Kenny finished his college days at Kansas State University and returned home pursuing his passion at All-American Indoor Sports.

Kenith was an avid reader and loved computers, sports, especially baseball. “KC”, as he was affectionally called, started playing baseball at the early age of 5. He

also enjoyed spending time with family, friends, going on adventures, and traveling to various destinations. He was an entrepreneur and inventor.

In 1996, he became the co-founder of Barnstormers Baseball. He was the cerebral force behind this powerful brand that literally started the industry of Showcase Baseball that you know today. Barnstormers Baseball began as a camp company where Kenny and Karl traveled from field-to-field running practices and camps for teams, organizations, and leagues. The name Barnstormers was homage to the Negro Leagues and a badge of honor and pride for him. Kenny, his other loving nickname, also mastered the art of subtly sharing the history of the Negro League and black players in the Minor League Baseball (MLB). During this time, he started a college baseball program as their first coach for Brown Mackey College.

Barnstormers grew quickly to 25 teams becoming a nationally known brand. Although the recognition was nice, his focus was on using baseball to develop young men’s life skills. He did so every day, in the batting cage or anywhere he would encounter them. Due to Kenny’s diligence, Barnstormers was responsible for over 2000 players and families earning college scholarships. Most importantly, he impacted the lives of very successful future fathers, husbands, and great family men.

In 2014, he branched out on his own to concentrate on hitting instruction with his company KC Hitters. Going back to his roots allowed him time to focus his inventor’s spirit. For years he studied vision training in an effort to shorten the pathway between seeing and reacting. Kenny knew he was on to something when his research led him to the fact that he had stumbled into the same training our US Air Force has used to train fighter pilots.

Kenny went on to receive patents for his inventions and the use of “light therapy” in developing his own training and training protocol. He was awarded Best Show at the Amateur Baseball Coaches Convention.

He continued to focus on his Professional Hitting Instructor business passionately, but also allowed himself time to pursue inventing. Kenny loved nothing more and had passion for nothing more than his family. In his latter years of life, he spent

his days and nights focusing on helping his nephew, Ethan, to become a Carswell. He spoke kindness and politeness into him while he also spoke fierce competitiveness, discipline, and dedication. Kenny followed Ethan’s every move and loved on him deeply. Kenny gave to Ethan everything he had every day he had it. Ethan loves him so much, it hurts.

He is preceded in death by his father, Rev. Lewis Carswell, paternal grandparents-Rev. William Carswell and Frances Porter; maternal grandparents -Deacon Trennial Owens, Sr. and Ethel Scott Owens, uncles- Albert Carswell, James Richard Carswell, and Berma Owens, Sr.

Kenith is survived by his devoted mother, Theodoshia Carswell, a faithful brother, Karl Carswell; his nephew and forever friend Ethan Carswell; aunts- Georgia Baker of Florida, Shirley Owens, Roberta Carswell of Georgia; Betty Carswell of Gary, Indiana; uncles-Trennial Owens, Jr, Willie (Denise) Owens, of Georgia; a loyal cousin-Katura E. Owens of Jacksonville, FL. God-sisters, Renee (John) Hague of Minnesota; Joy Gray of St. Louis, Missouri. His adopted brothers, Mark (Michelle) Jones, Robert “Flip” (Kim) Jones, and Brian Reeves all of Kansas.

Kenith is now in the company of his dad, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other love ones who welcomed him with open arms.

     In lieu of flowers, you may donate to the following nonprofit organizations:

National Kidney Foundation (Kenny’s life)

serving Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas of Overland Park, KS

9218 Metcalf Ave. #424

Overland Park, KS  66212

              -or-

Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research

320 W Ohio Street, Ste 300

Chicago, IL  60654

              -or-

Ethan Carswell NIL Fund (Kenny’s favorite)

13104 W 104th St

Overland Park, KS  66215

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kenith Carswell, please visit our floral store.