Kenneth Wayne Stegall

Funeral services for Kenneth Wayne Stegall, 64 of Tyler will be held on Monday, December 3rd, 2012 at 11:00 AM, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 1617 Shiloh Road in Tyler. Burial will follow at Kelsey Cemetery in Gilmer under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Mr. Stegall passed away Wednesday, November 28, 2012, at Baylor Hospital, in Dallas. He was born on February 1, 1948 in Gilmer to Willa and Lucille Knotts Stegall. Ken graduated from Gilmer High School in 1966. He married the love of his life, Ann Bryant in 1967 in Longview and they celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary on June 16, 2012. In 1969, Ken served as an Infantryman (mortars) in the Vietnam War, with distinction. Mr. Stegall was distinguished with a Purple Heart after surviving severe injuries sustained during a landmine explosion. He was also awarded the Combat Infantry Badge and expert rifle marksmanship badge. He received his respiratory therapy degree at Tyler Junior College. He later received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Education at the University of Texas in Tyler. He taught respiratory therapy at Tyler Junior College for the next 32 years. Ken’s favorite hobbies were gardening and genealogy. After retiring from respiratory therapy he became a master gardener. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, attending church activities, and participating in a local grassroots group. Mr. Stegall was an active member of the LDS Church where he served as a Bishop in the Tyler 2nd Ward for several years. He was well known for the service that he provided to his fellow man and was loved and admired by all. Mr. Stegall was preceded in death by his mother and father, and his brother Ronnie. Ken is survived by his wife, Ann; sons, Kenneth Jr and wife Stacy and Ronnie and wife Korie; daughters Ashley Hampton and husband Stephen, Brittney Smith and husband Cory, and Whitney Martin and husband Keith; two sisters, Sharie Jobe and Terry Ward and was further blessed with twelve grandchildren. Pallbearers will be David Barrow, Keith Martin, Stephen Hampton, Cory Smith, Blake Stegall, Dylan Stegall, and Eric Stegall. Honorary Pallbearers will be Lawrence Byrant, Phil Hill, Ben Poppell, Robert Waters, Jim Bell, and Reed Franklin. Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 2nd, 2012 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway Tyler, Texas 75703. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made in memory of Ken Stegall to the Tyler Junior College Foundation, PO Box 9020 Tyler, TX 75711-9020.

Kenneth Wayne Stegall

February 1, 1948 - November 28, 2012