FAYETTEVILLE - Beloved educator and family man, Kenneth A. McKethan Sr., 92, of Fayetteville, died Friday, March 18, 2011, in the Hope Mills Retirement Center. Born Dec. 1, 1918, in Cumberland County, Ken was the son of Duncan A. McKethan and Rebecca Taylor McKethan. After graduating from Seventy-First High School, he attended Louisburg College, later receiving his bachelor of arts degree from N.C. State College. He served with distinction during World War II with the 67th Armored Regiment in the European Theater of Operations, where he was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry. After receiving his degree, he taught agriculture and horticulture for nearly 50 years in Cumberland County schools. Ken was a lifelong member of MacPherson Presbyterian Church and served variously as a deacon and elder. In addition, he was a member of the 71st Ruritan Club and served as a member of the Farm Bureau Advisory Council. Other services included several terms on the Cumberland County Soil Conservation Service. He taught his students the value of service to others; each year, his FFA students collected and refurbished toys for distribution to the needy on Christmas Eve. After retirement, Mr. McKethan continued his avid interest in horticulture. Who did not know about his perfect poinsettias and grapefruit-size lemons? Visitors were often treated to a mess of sweet, succulent scuppernongs. Other hobbies included bee-keeping, cooking sorghum syrup, as well as restoration and display of antique engines. He is survived by Mary T. McKethan, his wife of 68 years; three children, Kenneth McKethan Jr. and wife Joanna of Dunn, Dr. James McKethan and wife Debbie of Fayetteville, and Dr. Robert McKethan and wife Cindy of Boone; five grandchildren, Jonathan, Jenny, Devin, Erika and Nathan; three great-grandchildren, Christian, Colby and Kimberlee; sister, Florene Clearkin of Shreveport, La.; and brother, Duncan McKethan of Wichita Falls, Texas. Mr. McKethan was preceded in death by his sisters, Jane Ray Mescal, Rebecca Campbell Whitenack and Elizabeth Taylor Stephenson. Ken McKethan will be sorely missed by family and friends. A memorial service will be held at MacPherson Presbyterian Church at 3 p.m. today, Sunday, March 20, 2011. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Cumberland County schools, Jay McKethan Scholarship, 2491 Gillespie St., Fayetteville, NC 28306. Services entrusted to Sullivan's Highland Funeral Service & Crematory of Fayetteville.
Published in Fayetteville Observer from Mar. 19 to Mar. 20, 2011
Source: McKethan Family Archives
Click on Silver Star Silver Sand ...a poem about Kenneth's last night in the hospital. Kenneth's graveside service included military honors. At the end of the service, a member of the honor guard was supposed to play Taps. By mistake, he played Reveille!!! Kenneth's boys found no issue with this mistake since at the moment of his earthly death, he was awake in Heaven.
One of Kenneth's many testaments of his faith is found in a 15 November 1944 letter to his wife, Elizabeth: Since we've been married (1 February 1943), I too have discovered that there is much more to living than material things. Our love for each other and the faith we have in each other and God make life really worth living. And it grows more and more every minute!