Obituary of Kenneth E. Carson

Kenneth Eugene Carson, age 91 of Leonardville, passed away Sunday, August 21, 2016 at St. Luke’s South Hospital in Overland Park. He was born on September 12, 1924 in Omaha, Nebraska, the oldest son of Walter F. and Ruth (Compton) Carson. At the age of two the family moved to Kansas. His growing up years were spent in Yates Center where he always had a job working a paper route, movie theater, dairy farm and odd jobs he could find. His high school years were spent at Soldier where his father was the Christian Church Minister. After high school graduation, he moved to Los Angeles, California where he worked for Shell Oil Company until being drafted into the Army 14th Corps in 1943. He was serving in the Philippines when the war ended. He attended Barber College in Omaha and followed that profession for the next 56 years, owning and operating shops in Meriden, Oskaloosa, Topeka, Kansas City, Kansas., Wakefield, Leonardville and Riley. For Ken, there’s more to it than simply cutting hair, it’s the sense of familiarity and camaraderie that he developed that continued in retirement.  He was a life member of the Wakefield Masonic Lodge # 369, Life Member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and the Sertoma Club of Kansas City, Kansas. He was an avid fisherman, gardener and reader. He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Donna Carson in 2008 and two brothers, Stanley & Walter. He is survived by his children, Karen Carson of Udall, KS; Robert Carson of Topeka, and Rodney Carson (Jane) of Overland Park; one brother Bill Carson (Joanne); 6 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 30, at the University Christian Church in Manhattan with Pastors David Pape and Kevin Larson officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 10:00 a.m. until service time Tuesday. A memorial has been established for the American Heart Association. Contributions may be left in care of the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home.