Kenneth Whisenhunt

April 24, 1927-January 1, 2014

Resident of San Jose

Kenneth was born in Lindsay, Oklahoma to William and Beulah Whisenhunt. He spent most of his youth in Oklahoma and West Texas. In the early 1940's his father William formed a partnership with professional actor Arthur "Art" Names and together they toured the plains of Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado and Kansas. Kenneth, his mother and his three brothers all travelled with the tent show and did pretty much every job, including 'bit' acting parts. In that era, travelling tent shows represented one of the few forms of entertainment available to those living in rural areas. Kenneth had fond memories of time spent with his father running a family owned pool hall and match racing quarter horses his father owned, in the cotton fields in and around his hometown of Meadow, Texas.

Kenneth met his wife of 61 years, Coleen in 1952 in Brownfield, Texas and later that year they wed in Ruidoso, New Mexico. In the early 1960's Kenneth went to work as a pressman at the Avalanche Journal in Lubbock, Texas and he moved his family out west to San Jose, California in the summer of 1964. Kenneth worked as a pressman at the San Jose Mercury News until his retirement in 1989.

First and foremost his family was the love of his life. Other things that Kenneth was passionate about were bass fishing with his sons and his 1931 Ford Model "A" Coupe. Kenneth also belonged to the Sons in Retirement (SIR) and Bedouins RV organizations. At different times of his life Kenneth was very accomplished at billiards and the game of poker.

Kenneth is survived by his wife, Coleen; loving brothers Lewis (wife Alma) and Donald (wife Betsy), devoted children Bill (wife Carmen), Roger (wife Gloria), Cathy (husband Wes) and Monte (wife Sarah). Kenneth's legacy includes 12 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service on Tuesday, January 7, 2014 at 5:00pm at Chapel of the Roses in the Oak Hill Cemetery at 300 Curtner Ave. San Jose, California.

Published in San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on Jan. 7, 2014.