Kenneth Ray “Ken” Babcock, 89, of Columbia, passed away Monday, Nov. 7, 2016 at Russell County Hospital in Russell Springs after several weeks illness.
He was born on Sept. 26, 1927 in Joliet, Ill., and was the son of the late Raymond Shield and Velma Marston Babcock.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Bea Babcock and by one son, Kenneth Babcock, Jr.
He later married Geraldine “Jeri” Kay Taylor Babcock, of Columbia, who survives.
He is also survived by one son, Doug Babcock of Columbia; four step children, Anita Boetsma of Mesa, Ariz., Sue Irwin and husband Jim of Plymouth, Ind., Bill Hoppe of South Bend, Ind., and Brian Hoppe and his wife JoEtta of Oak Lawn, Ill.; one sister, Shirley Regan of Oak Lawn, Ill.; and by nine grandchildren, David and Dane Babcock, Shelby Babcock, Jeannie Smith, Dan Sheehan, Andy Sheehan, David Hoppe, Zachary Hoppe, Jon Hoppe and Jennifer Cooksey.
Ken was a member of Columbia Christian Church, a U.S. Coast Guard World War II veteran and was a retired mechanical engineer for U.S. Steel in Chicago, Ill., and had operated a farm on Toria Road for many years.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Nov. 12 at 4 p.m. at Columbia Christian Church with Bro. Terry White officiating.
The family will receive friends after 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at Columbia Christian Church.
Cremation was chosen.
Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements.
Visit www.stottsphelpsmcquearyfh.com.
