Surrounded by loved ones and after a courageous battle with cancer, Kenneth Pilcher Smith passed away on January 10th, 2024. Born in Beaverton Alabama to Fred Clint Smith and Annie
Lou Abbott Smith he was the youngest of four children. During his childhood Ken spent his time exploring the woods around Winfield Alabama and was a Boy Scout. He attended high school in Winfield Alabama and played football, newspaper club, library club, and dramatics and graduated from Winfield High School with the class of 1953.
After high school Ken joined the army in 1955. He completed basic training in Fort Jackson South Carolina and AIT in Fort Meade Maryland where earned the 98 series MOS Signals Intelligence. His military career took him all over the world and he proudly served during Korea and Vietnam. While stationed in Taipei, Taiwan he fell in love with and married Shu-Jee Che (Carol) on April 13th, 1960. They had three daughters together Ruby, Patty, and Peggy Sue. Carol preceded him in death on October 7th, 1976. Ken retired from the army in 1975 at the rank of Master Sergeant. After his career in the army he worked for NATO where he fell in love with and married Sonia Smith on August 9th, 1978 in Decatur Alabama. They had two children, Fredric. After his career in NATO Ken worked in the Civil Service for Missile Command.
Proudly serving in Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
After retiring from Civil Service Ken and Sonia settled in central Kansas and started a ranch.
Ken was an avid runner and raced in many marathons around the world. He enjoyed fishing, reading a good book, and watching Alabama football with his children and grandchildren.
Ken was a devoted and loving husband and father. He was adored by his family and instilled in them a strong work ethic, love of country, and a dedicated sense of family.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents Fred Clint Smith and Annie Lou Smith, first wife Carol
Smith, Infant daughter Peggy Sue, brother Freddie Clyde, and Twin Sisters Betty Joyce and Sarah Jean.
Ken is survived by his wife Sonia Smith, Daughters Ruby Frischkorn and husband Mike of Santa Rosa beach Florida, Patricia Cornesky and husband Andy of West Palm Beach Florida,
Son Fredric Smith of Chapman Kansas. Grandchildren Christina Rogers and husband Bob, Ashley Leonard and husband Ray of Sierra Madre California, Taylor Sneed of Denver Colorado,
Treven Hall of Fargo North Dakota, Ila, Tamsin, Cordelia, and Penny Hall of Bloomington Illinois.
There will be a visitation on April 4th, 2024 from 5-7 p.m. at Saint Michael’s Church, Chapman, Kansas.
There will be a funeral mass on April 5th, 2024 starting at 10 a.m. at Saint Michael’s Church, Chapman Kansas. Immediately following will be a burial at Saint Patrick Cemetery in Chapman Kansas. Father Peter O’Donnell officiating
In Lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be given to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital.