Kenneth Ray Anthony

eth Ray Anthony, beloved husband, father and grandfather passed away on December 22, 2006 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Greenville, Ky. on September 8, 1923, the third child of William Isaac and Emma Lou Wilkins Anthony. His ancestors settled in Kentucky before the Civil War on land granted to them in Muhlenberg County. He spent most of his youth in Madisonville where he attended Madisonville High School, graduating in 1941. Ken was an outstanding athlete in high school, lettering in football, basketball and track, as well as being elected First Alternate for the Kentucky All Star Game. His love of sports followed him throughout his life which led him to referee college basketball for several years. \ \
In 1942 Ken married his high school sweetheart, Mildred Preston and was honorably discharged in 1944 as a Staff Sergeant. Once discharged, he joined the Quaker Oats Company and moved his young family to Houston, Texas. He enjoyed a long and productive career with Quaker, serving as District Manager for Texas and Louisiana. He retired in 1978 and moved to Louisiana with his second wife, Reba. \ \
He was preceded in death by wife; mother and father, Emma L. and William I Anthony; his brother, Charles W. Anthony, his sister, Mary Katherine (Kay) Anthony Murray and his nephew and namesake Kenneth Murray. His is survived by his three daughters and their husbands, Pamela and Craig Christie, Susan and Terry Balch and Kathryn and Fred Bradley. Also survived by his grandchildren Craig, Jr. and Courtland Christie, Erin Balch Barker, husband Matthew and son Sheehan, Meghan Balch Dailey, husband Brian and son Colton and Kate and Chase Bradley. Also surviving is his beloved brother, James Jimmie Anthony, of Madisonville, Ky.; his six nephews, Steve, Brad, Jeff, Gary, Michael and Mark Anthony; nieces Sandy Rogers, Angela Gimmer and Laura Brown and his adored aunt Della Rickard and cousins Margaret Johnson and Bill Rickard, all of Kentucky. \ \
Although, he spent the rest of his life living in Texas and Louisiana he never lost his wanderlust and traveled to most of the fifty states during his retirement, always stopping to add to his collection of antiques and Quaker memorabilia. \
He was a lifelong member of the Baptist Church, a Mason and devoted family man. \ \
Funeral services will be conducted in Madisonville, Ky., at Barnett-Strother Funeral Home at 1:30 p.m. by Reverend Jim Trimble, of St. Marys Episcopal Church. There will be a visitation at the funeral home after 12:30 P.M. Friday immediately before the service. Burial will follow in Greenville, Ky. at Evergreen Cemetery among four generations of his family. \
His nephews will serve as the pallbearers. \ \
A treasury of love and happy memories fill the hearts of those that will forever miss him. \ \
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.barnettstrother.com. \