"Ken" Kenley Fortner
February 13, 1935 - May 12, 2015
Buel Kenley Fortner, 80, passed away May 12, 2015 in Austin, Texas after a short battle with cancer. He was born February 13, 1935 in Brown County, Texas, and lived his first 12 years with no water piped into the family’s home. Their water was gotten from a well with a rope and a bucket. Yes, that means there was only an outhouse!
Ken graduated from Texas Tech University with a Business Degree in 1957 as a proud Red Raider. He was a National Honor Scholar, member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, Business Honor Society, and Sigma Iota Epsilon. Ken was employed at Otis Engineering Corporation for 33 years and, as he put it, ‘worked from slave up to Regional Manager’ of the western United States. He was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church where he served as treasurer for many years, an active member of a GIFT group, and a greeter.
When not traveling the world and country, Ken enjoyed playing tennis and watching all of his grandchildren play sports. Ken was well-known by his tennis buddies for his ‘extra effort grunt’ - a trademark of Andre Agassi - when serving for the win or returning a volley. He was playing tennis just one month before he passed away.
Ken was blessed to have found love twice in his life. He married Sylvia Ann Tipton in 1955 and was married for 47 years before her passing in 2003. He met Barbara Winkelmann in the fall of 2004, and convinced her to marry a younger man on February 5th, 2005 before his 70th birthday! He said that he was doubly blessed and lived a charmed life.
Ken was also known for his plethora of Texas sayings such as ‘He couldn’t find his way out of a wet paper sack.’ or ‘She folded up like a two dollar suitcase.’ Priceless memories were made with his children and grandchildren on the tennis court, playing card games and dominoes, and going to sporting events. He made sure that his children and grandchildren lived by his motto of ‘Clean up your own messes and do your chores without fussing’ which taught them the invaluable lesson of hard work.
Ken was so kind, generous and a friend to all. He lived by his own advice to others: ‘Treat everyone with dignity and respect. Never hurt other people or do anything that will make you feel bad or them feel bad. As the Bible says, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” ’ He will be sorely missed.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Loy and Odessa Fortner, and his brother in law, Gene French.
Ken is survived by so many that loved him which include his wife Barbara Fortner; son David Fortner and wife Linda; daughter Elise and husband Trey Atkins, stepsons Mike Winkelmann and wife Lori, Tim Winkelmann and wife Michelle; his sister Bonita French, and two brothers William Fortner and wife Norma, and Keith Fortner and wife Faith. Ken is also survived by his many grand children: Miles Fortner and wife Lindsay, Kenny Fortner, Ryan Atkins and wife Summer, Bret Atkins, Grant and Garrett Winkelmann, Max and Faith Winkelmann, and Brayten, Koby and Keaton Kubecka. Ken had one great-grandson, Payton Fortner, and many nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, May 23, 2015 at Bethany Lutheran Church, 3701 W. Slaughter Ln., Austin, TX 78749, 512-292-8778.
(Published by Harrell Funeral Home, May 16, 2015)
February 13, 1935 - May 12, 2015
Buel Kenley Fortner, 80, passed away May 12, 2015 in Austin, Texas after a short battle with cancer. He was born February 13, 1935 in Brown County, Texas, and lived his first 12 years with no water piped into the family’s home. Their water was gotten from a well with a rope and a bucket. Yes, that means there was only an outhouse!
Ken graduated from Texas Tech University with a Business Degree in 1957 as a proud Red Raider. He was a National Honor Scholar, member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, Business Honor Society, and Sigma Iota Epsilon. Ken was employed at Otis Engineering Corporation for 33 years and, as he put it, ‘worked from slave up to Regional Manager’ of the western United States. He was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church where he served as treasurer for many years, an active member of a GIFT group, and a greeter.
When not traveling the world and country, Ken enjoyed playing tennis and watching all of his grandchildren play sports. Ken was well-known by his tennis buddies for his ‘extra effort grunt’ - a trademark of Andre Agassi - when serving for the win or returning a volley. He was playing tennis just one month before he passed away.
Ken was blessed to have found love twice in his life. He married Sylvia Ann Tipton in 1955 and was married for 47 years before her passing in 2003. He met Barbara Winkelmann in the fall of 2004, and convinced her to marry a younger man on February 5th, 2005 before his 70th birthday! He said that he was doubly blessed and lived a charmed life.
Ken was also known for his plethora of Texas sayings such as ‘He couldn’t find his way out of a wet paper sack.’ or ‘She folded up like a two dollar suitcase.’ Priceless memories were made with his children and grandchildren on the tennis court, playing card games and dominoes, and going to sporting events. He made sure that his children and grandchildren lived by his motto of ‘Clean up your own messes and do your chores without fussing’ which taught them the invaluable lesson of hard work.
Ken was so kind, generous and a friend to all. He lived by his own advice to others: ‘Treat everyone with dignity and respect. Never hurt other people or do anything that will make you feel bad or them feel bad. As the Bible says, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” ’ He will be sorely missed.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Loy and Odessa Fortner, and his brother in law, Gene French.
Ken is survived by so many that loved him which include his wife Barbara Fortner; son David Fortner and wife Linda; daughter Elise and husband Trey Atkins, stepsons Mike Winkelmann and wife Lori, Tim Winkelmann and wife Michelle; his sister Bonita French, and two brothers William Fortner and wife Norma, and Keith Fortner and wife Faith. Ken is also survived by his many grand children: Miles Fortner and wife Lindsay, Kenny Fortner, Ryan Atkins and wife Summer, Bret Atkins, Grant and Garrett Winkelmann, Max and Faith Winkelmann, and Brayten, Koby and Keaton Kubecka. Ken had one great-grandson, Payton Fortner, and many nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, May 23, 2015 at Bethany Lutheran Church, 3701 W. Slaughter Ln., Austin, TX 78749, 512-292-8778.
(Published by Harrell Funeral Home, May 16, 2015)
"Ken" Kenley Fortner
February 13, 1935 - May 12, 2015
Buel Kenley Fortner, 80, passed away May 12, 2015 in Austin, Texas after a short battle with cancer. He was born February 13, 1935 in Brown County, Texas, and lived his first 12 years with no water piped into the family’s home. Their water was gotten from a well with a rope and a bucket. Yes, that means there was only an outhouse!
Ken graduated from Texas Tech University with a Business Degree in 1957 as a proud Red Raider. He was a National Honor Scholar, member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, Business Honor Society, and Sigma Iota Epsilon. Ken was employed at Otis Engineering Corporation for 33 years and, as he put it, ‘worked from slave up to Regional Manager’ of the western United States. He was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church where he served as treasurer for many years, an active member of a GIFT group, and a greeter.
When not traveling the world and country, Ken enjoyed playing tennis and watching all of his grandchildren play sports. Ken was well-known by his tennis buddies for his ‘extra effort grunt’ - a trademark of Andre Agassi - when serving for the win or returning a volley. He was playing tennis just one month before he passed away.
Ken was blessed to have found love twice in his life. He married Sylvia Ann Tipton in 1955 and was married for 47 years before her passing in 2003. He met Barbara Winkelmann in the fall of 2004, and convinced her to marry a younger man on February 5th, 2005 before his 70th birthday! He said that he was doubly blessed and lived a charmed life.
Ken was also known for his plethora of Texas sayings such as ‘He couldn’t find his way out of a wet paper sack.’ or ‘She folded up like a two dollar suitcase.’ Priceless memories were made with his children and grandchildren on the tennis court, playing card games and dominoes, and going to sporting events. He made sure that his children and grandchildren lived by his motto of ‘Clean up your own messes and do your chores without fussing’ which taught them the invaluable lesson of hard work.
Ken was so kind, generous and a friend to all. He lived by his own advice to others: ‘Treat everyone with dignity and respect. Never hurt other people or do anything that will make you feel bad or them feel bad. As the Bible says, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” ’ He will be sorely missed.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Loy and Odessa Fortner, and his brother in law, Gene French.
Ken is survived by so many that loved him which include his wife Barbara Fortner; son David Fortner and wife Linda; daughter Elise and husband Trey Atkins, stepsons Mike Winkelmann and wife Lori, Tim Winkelmann and wife Michelle; his sister Bonita French, and two brothers William Fortner and wife Norma, and Keith Fortner and wife Faith. Ken is also survived by his many grand children: Miles Fortner and wife Lindsay, Kenny Fortner, Ryan Atkins and wife Summer, Bret Atkins, Grant and Garrett Winkelmann, Max and Faith Winkelmann, and Brayten, Koby and Keaton Kubecka. Ken had one great-grandson, Payton Fortner, and many nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, May 23, 2015 at Bethany Lutheran Church, 3701 W. Slaughter Ln., Austin, TX 78749, 512-292-8778.
(Published by Harrell Funeral Home, May 16, 2015)
February 13, 1935 - May 12, 2015
Buel Kenley Fortner, 80, passed away May 12, 2015 in Austin, Texas after a short battle with cancer. He was born February 13, 1935 in Brown County, Texas, and lived his first 12 years with no water piped into the family’s home. Their water was gotten from a well with a rope and a bucket. Yes, that means there was only an outhouse!
Ken graduated from Texas Tech University with a Business Degree in 1957 as a proud Red Raider. He was a National Honor Scholar, member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, Business Honor Society, and Sigma Iota Epsilon. Ken was employed at Otis Engineering Corporation for 33 years and, as he put it, ‘worked from slave up to Regional Manager’ of the western United States. He was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church where he served as treasurer for many years, an active member of a GIFT group, and a greeter.
When not traveling the world and country, Ken enjoyed playing tennis and watching all of his grandchildren play sports. Ken was well-known by his tennis buddies for his ‘extra effort grunt’ - a trademark of Andre Agassi - when serving for the win or returning a volley. He was playing tennis just one month before he passed away.
Ken was blessed to have found love twice in his life. He married Sylvia Ann Tipton in 1955 and was married for 47 years before her passing in 2003. He met Barbara Winkelmann in the fall of 2004, and convinced her to marry a younger man on February 5th, 2005 before his 70th birthday! He said that he was doubly blessed and lived a charmed life.
Ken was also known for his plethora of Texas sayings such as ‘He couldn’t find his way out of a wet paper sack.’ or ‘She folded up like a two dollar suitcase.’ Priceless memories were made with his children and grandchildren on the tennis court, playing card games and dominoes, and going to sporting events. He made sure that his children and grandchildren lived by his motto of ‘Clean up your own messes and do your chores without fussing’ which taught them the invaluable lesson of hard work.
Ken was so kind, generous and a friend to all. He lived by his own advice to others: ‘Treat everyone with dignity and respect. Never hurt other people or do anything that will make you feel bad or them feel bad. As the Bible says, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” ’ He will be sorely missed.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Loy and Odessa Fortner, and his brother in law, Gene French.
Ken is survived by so many that loved him which include his wife Barbara Fortner; son David Fortner and wife Linda; daughter Elise and husband Trey Atkins, stepsons Mike Winkelmann and wife Lori, Tim Winkelmann and wife Michelle; his sister Bonita French, and two brothers William Fortner and wife Norma, and Keith Fortner and wife Faith. Ken is also survived by his many grand children: Miles Fortner and wife Lindsay, Kenny Fortner, Ryan Atkins and wife Summer, Bret Atkins, Grant and Garrett Winkelmann, Max and Faith Winkelmann, and Brayten, Koby and Keaton Kubecka. Ken had one great-grandson, Payton Fortner, and many nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, May 23, 2015 at Bethany Lutheran Church, 3701 W. Slaughter Ln., Austin, TX 78749, 512-292-8778.
(Published by Harrell Funeral Home, May 16, 2015)
Family Members
Siblings
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
