Ralph Frank Kuykendall, 90, of Athens, died Saturday, November 8, 2014 at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga.
He was a native of Blairsville, Georgia and longtime resident of McMinn County and was a son of the late Benjamin C. and Ovee Ivester Kuykendall and was also preceded in death by a son, Terry F. Kuykendall, two sisters, Lucille Murphy and Mae Gilbert, and six brothers, Lauren, Lawrence, Bennie, Mack, Vaughn and A.J. Kuykendall.
He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church of Athens where he served in the areas of Trustee, Building Committee, and various activities over the years. He was a well known brick mason and contractor in the surrounding area for over fifty years. Upon retiring from his masonry work, he worked at Textron where he retired in April 1992. He was a graduate of McMinn County High School. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corp. during World War II, and was a member of VFW Post #5146 and the American Legion. He was an avid golfer, bowler and he was also a passionate Braves fan and VOL for Life.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Janice Roberts Kuykendall of Athens; one daughter and son-in-law, Christy and Len Newman of Fairhope, Ala; three grandsons, Nelson, Spencer and Griffin Newman all of Fairhope, Ala; sister-in-law, Marcia Roberts Whaley and husband Rex of Greeneville, TN; brother-in-law, Elton Roberts and wife Martha of Loganville, GA.
A memorial service will be conducted, 5:00 pm, Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at Trinity United Methodist Church with Rev. Jay Ferguson officiating. The committal service will be 10:00 am, Wednesday at McMinn Memory Gardens with military honors at the graveside. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 3:00-5:00 pm prior to the memorial service.
Honorary pallbearers will be Seekers Sunday School class at Trinity United Methodist Church and Dr. Steven Denton, H.L. Patterson, Bobby Hutsell, Doug Martin, Rev. Ogle Wattenbarger and Sarah Francis.
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