1st Lt. Kenneth A. McKethan

Kenneth McKethan was a native North Carolinian from Fayetteville (Cumberland County).  Ken was born on December 1, 1918, to D.A. and Rebecca McKethan of the 71st township.  Ken had 1 brother and 4 sisters.  He attended 71st School, Louisburg College, and NC State University.  Ken entered military service on 17 Jun 1941.  Before his overseas deployment, Kenneth married Elizabeth Trawick on 1 February 1943. Following his August 1944 arrival in Europe, he was attached to the 67th Armored Regiment, 2nd Armored Division. Kenneth separated from the Army of the United States on 07 Jan 1946.  He was a father to 3 sons; Sandy, James, and Robert.  Kenneth taught agriculture and horticulture at 71st High School for the entirety of his teaching career.  For 10 years after retirement, he taught horticulture to exceptional children at Walker Spivey School.  He was a lifelong member of McPherson Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville, N.C. He served, acting upon his commitment to Jesus Christ, McPherson Church as a deacon, elder, and a member of various committees.  Ken passed away at Hope Mills Retirement Center in Hope Mills, N.C. on March 18, 2011.

2nd Platoon, Company H, 3rd Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment, 2nd Armored Division

FAYETTEVILLE - Beloved educator and family man, Kenneth A. McKethan Sr., 92, of Fayetteville, died Friday, March 18, 2011, in the Hope Mills Retirement Center. Born Dec. 1, 1918, in Cumberland County, Ken was the son of Duncan A. McKethan and Rebecca Taylor McKethan. After graduating from Seventy-First High School, he attended Louisburg College, later receiving his bachelor of arts degree from N.C. State College. He served with distinction during World War II with the 67th Armored Regiment in the European Theater of Operations, where he was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry. After receiving his degree, he taught agriculture and horticulture for nearly 50 years in Cumberland County schools. Ken was a lifelong member of MacPherson Presbyterian Church and served variously as a deacon and elder. In addition, he was a member of the 71st Ruritan Club and served as a member of the Farm Bureau Advisory Council. Other services included several terms on the Cumberland County Soil Conservation Service. He taught his students the value of service to others; each year, his FFA students collected and refurbished toys for distribution to the needy on Christmas Eve. After retirement, Mr. McKethan continued his avid interest in horticulture. Who did not know about his perfect poinsettias and grapefruit-size lemons? Visitors were often treated to a mess of sweet, succulent scuppernongs. Other hobbies included bee-keeping, cooking sorghum syrup, as well as restoration and display of antique engines. He is survived by Mary T. McKethan, his wife of 68 years; three children, Kenneth McKethan Jr. and wife Joanna of Dunn, Dr. James McKethan and wife Debbie of Fayetteville, and Dr. Robert McKethan and wife Cindy of Boone; five grandchildren, Jonathan, Jenny, Devin, Erika and Nathan; three great-grandchildren, Christian, Colby and Kimberlee; sister, Florene Clearkin of Shreveport, La.; and brother, Duncan McKethan of Wichita Falls, Texas. Mr. McKethan was preceded in death by his sisters, Jane Ray Mescal, Rebecca Campbell Whitenack and Elizabeth Taylor Stephenson. Ken McKethan will be sorely missed by family and friends. A memorial service will be held at MacPherson Presbyterian Church at 3 p.m. today, Sunday, March 20, 2011. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Cumberland County schools, Jay McKethan Scholarship, 2491 Gillespie St., Fayetteville, NC 28306. Services entrusted to Sullivan's Highland Funeral Service & Crematory of Fayetteville.