Kenneth Armstrong Hartley, 90, of Orange, passed away Thursday, January 9, 2014, at his home.
Funeral Services will be 2:30 p.m. Saturday, January 11, 2014, at First United Methodist Church in Orange with Reverend John Warren officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens near Bridge City.
Visitation will begin at 1:30 p.m. prior to the funeral service at the church.
Born in Morgantown, West Virginia on August 30, 1923, Kenneth was the son of Samuel Melvin Hartley and Essie Belle (Armstrong) Hartley.
After graduation from Morgantown High, Kenneth enlisted in the Army Air Corp. He served in England and France during WWII. After the war, he moved to Orange in 1946 to work at DuPont Sabine River Works where he was employed there for 38 years.
In 1947, Kenneth married Betty Jo Grubbs. They had two daughters, Cindy Kay and Lindy Sue.
Kenneth served as a longtime member of First United Methodist Church in Orange. He was the Chairman of the Trustees and Head Usher for many years. Kenneth was also a member of the Orange Lions Club, Golden Kiwanis, and on the advisory board of the Salvation Army for 16 years. He played golf and served on the board of the Sunset Grove County Club. He was also a member of the V.F.W.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Betty Jo Hartley; two brothers; and six sisters. Kenneth is survived by his wife, Mary Frances Hartley of Orange; daughters and sons-in-law, Cindy and Lynden Rasch of Kingwood, Lindy and James Pitre of Hamshire; step children and their spouses, Anne and Boyd Edwards of Orange, Carl and Melissa Rasmussen of Canyon Lake and Macy and Don Jones of College Station.
Kenneth is also survived by his grandchildren, Matthew Rasch and wife Christy of Marseilles, France, Samuel Rasch and wife Thelma of Chicago, Illinois and Adam Pitre of Hamshire; step-grandchildren, Katie Shahan and husband, Travis of Dallas, Beth Murray and husband, Sean of Frisco, Robert Edwards and wife, Elizabeth of El Paso, Will Rasmussen and wife, Leticia of San Antonio, Kaylin Booker and husband, Stephen of Sales, Australia, Derby Jones of College Station, and Paris Jones of College Station; and thirteen great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 502 N 6th Street, Orange, Texas 77630; or the Salvation Army, 1950 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Orange, Texas 77630.
Condolences
Howard And Joan Haddock
January 11, 2014
Dear Mary Frances, We are saddened by the death of Kenneth. Our blessings and prayers for you and your family. Love Howard and Joan Haddock.
Jerry Windham
January 10, 2014
Our condolences to Mary Francis and families. Having known Ken since 1959 in our early years at Dupont, I can say he was a great guy in my book. His spot near the front right side of First United Methodist Church will be vacant in space but not in spirit. Your Sunday smile will be missed. Jerry and Beth Ann Windham