Archie Lee Kennington was a World War II Army veteran and long-time Panama City, Florida resident remembered as a beloved husband, father, step-father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He worked nights at Thoni’s Service Station and arrived for his shift around 6:00 pm on May 6, 1980.

In the early morning hours of May 7, 1980, Archie was brutally attacked during what investigators say was an attempted robbery. Two customers discovered him between 2:30 and 3:00 am, lying in a pool of blood in the office doorway. He was taken to a hospital and died of his injuries. The autopsy recorded 12 or more stab wounds from a hunting knife or lock-blade pocket knife, a fractured skull from a blunt object, and a final stab behind the ear that penetrated the brain.

Investigators determined only about $75 was taken despite a larger amount being available and believed two people may have been involved. Because Archie was well known and had said he would resist being robbed, detectives think he may have willingly let his attacker or attackers into the office. If anyone has information that could help identify those responsible, contact Panhandle Crime Stoppers at (850) 785-TIPS (8477).