R. Kenneth Craighead (Veteran)

Mr. R. Kenneth Craighead, age 91 years, of Jefferson City, Mo., died Sunday, January 23, 2011, at the Jefferson City Manor Nursing Center. Kenny was born November 11, 1919, near New Bloomfield, Mo., the son of Omar and Annie Boyce Craighead. He was married on June 8, 1943, in Jefferson City, Mo., to Agnes Dell Forbis. A lifelong resident of the central Missouri area, Kenny graduated from New Bloomfield High School and obtained a teaching certificate to teach high school courses in 1937 and in the state school system in 1939. He served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II . Kenny was employed with Jefferson Body and Frame Auto Repair for many years. Later, he owned and operated Ken's Body Shop in Columbia for years prior to his retirement in 1990. After retirement, he was employed with Freeman Mortuary for several years. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, a former member of the Cedar City Methodist Church, a member of the Methodist Men of Jefferson City, and a past Boy Scout and Explorer Scout Leader. Kenny and Agnes had a neighborhood ceramic club for over 10 years. Survivors include: his wife of 67 years, Agnes Craighead; one daughter, Linda Carlene Hickman and her husband Ken of Washington, Mo.; two sons, Russell Lee Craighead and his wife Diana of Fulton, Mo. and Kenneth Dean Craighead of Westphalia, Kan.; one brother, Owen Craighead and his wife Lois of Grapeview, Wash.; one grandson, Chris Hickman; one granddaughter, Shawn Harmon; and one great-granddaughter, Brooke Harmon. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Hazel Piro; and one brother, Harold Craighead. Visitation will be at Freeman Mortuary from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 26, 2011. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, January 27, 2011, in the Freeman Chapel with the Reverend Mark Dumas officiating. Interment will be at Hawthorn Memorial Gardens. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimers Disease and Related Disorders Assn. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com