OBITUARY: Kenneth E. Walker
Mr. Kenneth E. Walker, was called to his Heavenly Home in the early morning hours of Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013.
He had a very full and blessed life and even though he suffered greatly in later years; he never lost his great sense of humor and joy of telling stories. He could enter any room of strangers and know something about everyone before he left. Truly, he never met a person he didn't like.
He is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, JoAnne (Jody) Walker; his two sons, Rick Walk, of Science Hills, Ky.; Brett Walker and wife Trish, of Eldorado; his first wife, Carol Mocaby, of Carbondale; Kim Rice and family, of Madisonville, Ky.; granddaughters, Chasity Waggoner, Noel Walker and Chesney Walker; seven great-grandchildren; two brothers, William Walker Jr. and wife Shirley, of West Frankfort and James Walker and wife Janet, of Carbondale; and many nieces and nephews. Nothing made him happier than having his entire family around him. He had two dogs whom he spoiled rotten, often telling his wife to "Tell Maggie to get down" rather than tell her himself.
He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Linda Walker, of Carbondale; and his very special granddaughter, Jenny Walker Choate, of Cadiz, Ky.; his parents, William Walker Sr. and Muriel Whitnel Walker of West Frankfort; and his sister, Marilyn Krackenberger of Florida.
Ken was a tremendous athlete at West Frankfort High School, graduating in 1954 and setting many records in track, basketball and football. He was on several All-Conference and All-State teams. He loved to reminisce with old team mates about those glory days. He won first place in acting two consecutive years, competing against the largest high schools in Chicago and surrounding areas. Then he moved on to Southern Illinois University at Carbondale where he played quarterback. He received his bachelors, masters and six year certificate in education administration.
Ken began his teaching career at Shelbyville, moving on to Cuba as principal, to Harrisburg as High School Principal and then as superintendent of schools for 13 years at Eldorado. Upon his retirement he fulfilled a life long dream of owning a Dairy Queen. He and Jody owned and operated the Princeton, Ky., Dairy Queen for 30 years, only having to sell due to health reasons. Through the years they owned two other Dairy Queen Restaurants in Cadiz, Ky., and Dawson Springs, Ky., and 50 percent of the Ponderosa in Draffenville, Ky.
Ken served on the American Dairy Queen Advisory Council for 10 years, representing all Dairy Queen Restaurants in Southern Illinois, all of Kentucky, and 11 state to the Gulf of Mexico. He served four years as Chairman of the D.Q. Council and he was very active in both the Kentucky and Tennessee D.Q. Operators Associations.
Ken coached his sons in their sporting events and never missed his daughter's events, regardless of how far he had to travel. He was active in Red Cross and Boy Scouts and served on the Princeton, Ky., Water Board. He was a member of the Saline County Board of Supervisors in Harrisburg and very active in the Democratic Party.
He was a loving and wonderful husband, father, and friend and will be forever missed. A memorial service will be held 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013, at Morgan's Funeral Home in Princeton, Ky. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cedar Bluff Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 105, Princeton, Ky. 42445 or to a charity of your church.