Kenneth Babcock

KENNETH KNOLL BABCOCK

McCAMEY: Kenneth Knoll Babcock, passed away June 19th, 2008 at 5:30 pm at his home in Fayetteville, GA. surrounded by his family . Mr. Babcock was born November 1st, 1918 in Dallas, TX, grew up in Sonora TX., after graduation he attended University of Texas Austin. Before he could finish school, he met and married Faegene Eddleman. They had the first "church" wedding in McCamey on November 22, 1940. Daughter Sherry was born 3 years later, not long after he was inducted into the US Army Air Corps as a military instructor. It wasn't long before he was flying as a WW II Hump Pilot in the CBI theater. After the service, he opened a business selling pianos and later added radio repair, records and record players and as time went on televisions sales and repair. Having developed a great love of flying it only made sense for him to pursue crop spraying. He spent 30 years in the business. During this time he worked many local youths and enjoyed knowing each and every one of them, many becoming life time friends. Ken was an accomplished musician playing both piano & cello who played his cello with the Austin Symphony. Ken was a member of the First United Methodist Church in McCamey where he spent many years singing in the church choir and enjoyed serving as Sunday School teacher.
He was a published writer with an autobiography, A Pilot's Life.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents O.G. and Edith Babcock, sister Gertrude Babcock Tipton, and his wife of 56 years, Faegene.
After her death, he married Blanche Taylor Regeon in Fayetteville, Georgia on January 15, 2000.
Where he gained a new family with many more grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife Blanche of Fayetteville, daughters Sherry & Jack Phillips of McCamey, TX, Nanetta & John Phillips of Sealy, TX, Resa & Steve Phillips of Senoia, GA., Rhonda & Michael Weatherup of Brooks, GA.; Grandchildren Shelley Shackelford & and husband Cary of Wink, TX., Lisa Thurman of Dana Point, CA., Chris Phillips & wife Kristin of Cedar Creek, TX, Jessica Kenny & husband P.J., and Jamie Phillips all of Sealy, TX., Michael Hill & and wife Krista, Cristie Spradlin & husband Chris, Jesse Lindamood, Jodi Cooper, Ashley, Toni, Brianna, and Cody Phillips, Jake Parks, Chelse Maddox & husband Cory , Zachary Farmer, and Virginia Weatherup all of GA.; great grandchildren Mikah, Eliya, Gavriella, and Judah Phillips all of Cedar Creek, TX, Melissa Robertson & husband Chad of Martindale, TX, Gil Shackelford of Portales, NM, and Lacy Shackelford of Alpine, TX, C.J. Maddox, Bailey, Laney, and Dayton Hill, Savannah Hall, and Ely Spradlin all of GA; and great great grandson Reid Robertson, of Martindale, TX. Kenneth is also survived by his sister Edith Grinnell & husband Bob of Horseshoe Bay, TX.; and numerous nieces and nephews. Of those who knew him he was a blessing and will be missed.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00PM on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at the First United Methodist Church in McCamey with Reverend Claire Richardson officiating. Burial will follow in the Resthaven Cemetery with arrangements under the direction of Shaffer-Nichols Funeral Home of McCamey.
The family request that memorials be made the First United Methodist Church in McCamey, P.O. Box 964-McCamey, Texas 79752.