Last updated
Tuesday, 11-Sep-2018 03:24:22 MDT
Classmates Obituaries - Letter K
These obituaries correspond with the yearbooks that are listed on this website. Whenever possible, the source of the obituary will be shown as well as the date.
Keller, David Lee - David Lee Keller, 74, of Hot Springs
died Saturday, November 25, 2006, in a local hospital.
Born July 14,
1932, at Fort Smith, Arkansas, to David and Estelle Roach Keller, he was
a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, a pharmacist for
more than fifty years, U.S. Army Korean War veteran, former mayor of Texarkana,
Texas, and member of St. John's Catholic Church.
Survivors include one
son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Debra Keller of Fayetteville; two daughters,
LeAnn Keller of Boston and Jeri Keller of Wake Village, Texas; one sister,
Norma Jean Mann of Hot Springs; three grandchildren...
The service will
be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Crestview Memorial Park with the Rev. Erik Pohlmeier
officiating... (Gross Funeral Home) [Sentinel-Record, November
27, 2006] [Class of 1949]
Kelly, Ronald D. - Ronald D. Kelly of Hot Springs left
his mortal body peacefully in a local hospital to be with Jesus eternally,
Monday, November 16, 2009. He is survived by his sister Caralyn Verble and
brother-in-law David Verble of Hot Springs; two nephews Mike Verble of Brentwood,
Tennessee, Kelly Verble and his wife Joan of Hot Springs; and niece Beth
Gieringer and her husband David of Little Rock; five great nieces Cara and
Kimber Gieringer, Ashton and Kelsey Verble and Kristi Verble; two great
nephews Braedon Verble of Brentwood, Tennessee, and Joshoa Gieringer;
his legally adopted son Jim Bullard and daughter-in-law Linda Bullard; four
grandchildren Jamie (Bullard) Huisman and her husband Cody, Taylor Bullard,
Jolie Bullard and Tanner Bullard all of Hot Springs; and countless friends
all over the world, especially Alton, Illinois, and Hamamatsu, Japan.
Ron was born February 13, 1936, to Dr. Claude Kelly and Altha Orr Kelly
and grew up in Hot Springs where his gift in music as pianist and entertainer
began to blossom at an early age. He graduated from Hot Springs high in
1954 and joined the Navy and was a member of the Navy School of Music. He
returned to Arkansas in 1958 and attended Ouachita Baptist University where
he earned a degree in Music. He took a job as high school choral director
in Alton, Illinois where he served for 30 years. He was very involved in
that community, directing church choirs, Summer Musicals with area youth
and directing various music groups.
In 1989 Ron moved to Hamamatsu,
Japan where he taught conversational English and received the prestigious
teacher of the decade award from Interac International and made countless
friends. He returned to Hot Springs in 2000 to work with his alma mater
(OBU) as international recruiter. He was instrumental in starting Friendship
International, that continues to meet each Monday at local churches. He
was involved with the Leadership Hot Springs through Chamber of Commerce.
He shared his gift of music at Central Baptist Church, Grand Avenue Methodist
Church and most recently at First Christian Church. Ron thoroughly enjoyed
an exciting life and being around and entertaining people, traveling this
great country with great admiration and knowledge of it’s history and beauty.
Each summer he would take a van full of people (mostly students) on a “summer
trip” a full month of traveling the US. He constantly had people (especially
young people) in his home to eat, play games and generally have a great
time. He hosted foreign exchange students from Germany, Czech Republic,
Thailand, Japan and other countries. He always shared his faith in Jesus
Christ and to his last day was telling others of the hope and salvation
that is available to all who would believe in and call on the name of Jesus
Christ. He will be missed by us all.
A memorial service will be held
at Central Baptist Church on Monday, November 23, 2009, at 2pm. Arrangements
are by Gross Funeral Home. [from Gross Funeral Home online obituary] Class
of 1954
Kinsey, Jerry Wayne - Jerry Wayne Kinsey passed away November 1, 2014,
in Hershey, Pennsylvania. He was born July 17, 1943, in Hot Springs, Arkansas, to Norban
Sydney Kinsey and Le Vellon Syble Hamilton Kinsey, both now deceased.
He leaves behind his loving wife and friend of 44 years, Marta, and a son
Scott, of whom he was very proud. He is also survived by one brother, James
Ray Kinsey and his wife Kathy, two nephews and four nieces, and several
friends’ children that he and Marta thought of as their own. Jerry is survived
by his beloved pet, Milli.
Jerry graduated from Hot Springs High School
in 1962 where he was a member of the Trojan football team. He then attended
Henderson State University. After serving in Vietnam, he received his Bachelor’s
and Master’s Degree from Ouachita Baptist University where he was on the
Dean’s List.
He entered the United States Marine Corps in 1968 and served
in Vietnam as a squad leader. After graduation from Ouachita Baptist University
he was employed by the Arkansas Department of Correction as a state parole
officer. He was assigned to Garland County as a parole officer for 14 years,
where he met and became friends with many local law enforcement officers,
and officers of the court that remained lifelong friends. His career in
law enforcement was followed by 19 years as a rehabilitation counselor at
the Hot Springs Rehabilitation Center. Jerry received the honor of Employee
of the Month twice, and Employee of the Year. He was the counselor/coordinator
for the Rehabilitation Center and National Park Community College. Jerry’s
adult years were committed to the service of others.
Besides coordinating
disabled students programs at the college, he also was the administrator
for the Phil Jamison Trust Fund that enabled disabled students from Arkansas
to attend the college of their choice in the State of Arkansas. He continued
to coordinate this trust after his retirement from HSRC. One of Jerry’s
greatest joys was seeing these students graduate from college and go on
to have a successful life. To the day he died, he received calls and letters
of gratitude from students thanking him for the difference he made in their
lives.
Throughout the years Jerry was involved in veteran affairs, he
was active in the Elks 380, serving as Exalted Ruler from 1982-83. Jerry
loved cooking, books, cruising Lake Hamilton on his party barge, and camping
on Lake Ouachita. He enjoyed the friendships he made at duck club and deer
camp. He and Marta toured and visited every state in their motor home “Phaeton
Place”. They were members of the Tiffin/Allegro RV Club., Family Motor Club
Association, and Good Sam RV Club.
Jerry was never too busy to help anyone
in need. You could count on him to be good to his word, would stand his
ground, and stand up for you. Jerry did GREAT impersonations and could make
everybody laugh. He loved pulling practical jokes, and gave all of his friends
a nickname. Close friends commented that “Jerry was one of a kind," and
the world was a better place because of him. Semper Fi, Jerry.
Often he
would say, “When God comes to get me, I hope He catches me on the run,”
and He did.
A special thank you to our former doctor and beloved friends,
Dr. Martin Koehn and Molly Harvey, who were with us to the very end.
Graveside service with full military honors will be 1:00 p.m. Thursday November
6, 2014, at Memorial Gardens Cemetery on 70 West. Visitation will be 12:00
to 1:00 p.m. at the cemetery. [from Gross Funeral Home
online obituary] [Class
of 1962]
Kinsey, Mary Frances
Payton Stephens - Mary Frances Kinsey, 83, of Hot Springs went
to be with the Lord Thursday, June 2, 2011, at home surrounded by family
and friends. She was born November 20, 1927, to the late Hazel Delay Payton
and Roy Payton in Hot Springs.
Mrs. Kinsey was a retired Daycare operator;
a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church and Eastern Star. She was predeceased
by her first husband, John William Stephens.
Survivors include two sons,
Glen M. Stephens of Oklahoma and Marc (Beth) Kinsey of Benton, Louisiana;
one daughter, Jana K. Stephens-Wilson of Hot Springs; four grandchildren,
LeAnn (Jeremy) Hill, Melissa Wilson, Eyan Kinsey and Trechael Stephens;
three step-grandchildren, Nico, Haley and Ali Scaglione; one great-grandchild,
Bryson Hill.
Visitation will be 2:00 to 4:00 Sunday at Hot Springs Funeral
Home. Graveside services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday at Greenwood Cemetery
with Chaplain David Kenser officiating. [from Hot Springs
Funeral Home online obituary] [Class
of 1946]
Kirtley, Betty Ruth Norman - Betty Ruth Norman Kirtley,
77, of Hot Springs, Arkansas, died Monday, February 5, 2007, at her home.
She was a member of Gardner Lane Primitive Baptist Church, Elder Ersel Tillery
pastor.
She was born January 24, 1930, to the late Dallas and Jewell
Dodson Norman.
She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Bill J. Kirtley;
one son, Kenneth Kirtley; one grandson, Joseph Chris Wilson; all of Hot
Springs, Arkansas; one sister, Barbara Gwin; two nieces, Della Darty and
her husband, Michael and Linda King and her husband, Dave; all of Detroit,
Michigan.
There will be no services, but a gathering at the family’s
home. [Caruth-Hale Funeral Home online obituary] [Class
of 1950]
Kubitz, Kathleen Dugan
- Kathleen “Kathy” Dugan Kubitz passed away on September 24, 2012, after
a brief battle with cancer. She was born June 30, 1938, in Hot Springs.
Raised by her mother, Vivian Dugan Turner, Kathy loved being social,
which lead to a lifelong appreciation of music and theater. Following high
school, her friend, Beth convinced her to move to California. She married
shortly thereafter and had three wonderful children, who became the focus
of her life and devotion. She loved nothing more than being immersed in
her kid’s activities (drum and bugle corps, soccer). This love expanded
to include the activities of her kid’s friends, neighbors, and grandchildren.
She enjoyed her work with Eagle Software and the work friends that she
considered family. Kathy loved Disney, being Irish, books, movies, and New
York City. Her contagious smile and laugh always brought delight to those
around her. Those who have been fortunate enough to have known her are blessed
because they had their spirits lifted by the joy in her heart.
She is
survived by her children, Scott, Susan and Chris; and four grandchildren,
plus countless friends.
A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m.
on Tuesday at Fairhaven Memorial Park in Santa Ana, California.
[Sentinel-Record online obituary] [Class
of 1956]