July 20, 1940 – June 3, 2025
Ken was called home to rest on June 3, 2025. Born in Roanoke, Virginia on July 20, 1940, Ken attended Jefferson High School and went on to Emory and Henry College. In 1966 he married his wife and partner in life of 56 years, Marian Candler. Ken discovered his talent for science, graduating from Emory and Henry with a degrees in physics and math. He studied in the master’s program of nuclear engineering at Penn State. Ken went on to have a noteworthy, 40+ year career as a nuclear and industrial engineer, designing and building power plants worldwide. In 1979 Ken and Marian welcomed son William (Bill) and in 1983 daughter Beth. Ken contributed to companies up and down the eastern United States. He was passionate about music, life-long learning, his children, as well as his fervent Christian faith. Ken became a born again Christian in 1970 and went on to serve for years as a deacon and elder in the reformed Presbyterian faith. He is preceded in death by his loving wife Marian, his parents William and Claudine Richardson, his sister Norma King. He is survived by his son Bill (Channing) of Nacogdoches, Texas, and daughter Beth (Don) of Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Ken has 6 grandchildren: Reese, Jack, Olivia, Malachi, Elizabeth, and Raine.