Kenneth Lee McEntire

Kenneth L. McEntire, age 66, of Batesville, Arkansas, formerly of Colchester, Illinois passed away Monday, November 8th, 2021 at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri from COVID pneumonia. Ken was born December 15th, 1954, in Beardstown, Illinois to Bradford and Ollie Tremain McEntire. He was united in marriage in Industry, Illinois, June 21st, 1974 to Connie Waddill. She survives of Colchester.

    Surviving to mourn his passing are 1 daughter: Carmen (Kerry) Foxall, Colchester, 1 granddaughter: Carley (Austin) Dixon, Colchester, 1 grandson: Cooper Foxall, Colchester, 1 great grandson: Callen Dixon, Colchester, 1 sister: Alice Rowland, Macomb, his significant other: Beverly Greenfield, Batesville, Arkansas, her daughters: Carrie Winkle, Beth (Brandon) Penn, and her grandchildren: Dylan Winkle, Bradley Penn, Lane Penn, and Baleigh Penn all of Batesville, Arkansas. Ken is also survived by a large extended family and friends.

    Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Bradford and Ollie Tremain McEntire.

    Ken lived his life to the fullest— There are not enough newspapers to hold all of the adventures he experienced and lives he touched in the 66 years he lived here on earth. 

    Ken had a zest for speed and adventure from the get go. In his spare time, he enjoyed many motorsports and was well-known for his mudslinging wins. He also frequently took home trophies at all of the local fairs for quad racing. He loved anything on wheels, whether that be hot-rods, motorcycles, four-wheelers, or stock cars. He could ride a wheelie a mile long and never backed down from adventure. Ken also enjoyed the outdoors, never missing a mushroom season, and hunting. Back in the day he loved hosting everyone at the deer cabin to show off their bucks and share their stories. As he got older, his hobbies transformed into Harley riding and jeeping, especially in Moab, and working on his toys. If he wasn’t working, he was probably in the garage tinkering. He was a very talented and knowledgeable mechanic.

    The most important job Ken had was being a father. Not only was he an amazing father to his daughter but also to many other young men whom he mentored throughout his life. There was never any doubt that Ken loved his family and was proud all of them. One of the most amazing things about Ken was that he never ran out of love, whether for his blood family, adoptive family, or his friends scattered throughout the country. He also had an abundance of love for his pets— especially his cat Louie, and beloved dogs Ginger and Hercules.

    Ken was a hard worker all of his life, and he greatly prided himself on his work ethic. He was a talented welder and used his drive to go on to do many great things. In early high school, he worked as a farmhand and at a gas station. During his senior year of high school, he worked second shift at McGraw Edison factory. His welding journey began after at Pollock’s Welding. Ken owned and operated his own welding business, McEntire Welding, on Highway 136 from 1976-1999. For a short period of time, Ken lived in Heapsville, Illinois on the river and worked for Laverdiere Construction and Hillyer’s Construction. Ken remodeled a beautiful farmhouse and moved to Blandinsville, Illinois in 2009, where he was self employed with Top Gun Gutters. The sand fracking business lead him to Arkansas, where he had his sand plants in Maple Springs, Arkansas working with Ozark Premium Sand. After that, he worked for Performance Proppants in Bossier City, Lousiana and Doddridge, Arkansas. He worked for Scarco Services and Buffalo Sand, which landed him in Melrose, New Mexico to build a new sand plant. He recently had came back to Arkansas, where he was currently employed at Capital Midsouth as a heavy equipment operator for Patriarch. He always said he would never retire and would work until the day he died. 

    Ken was a people person who made friends everywhere he went. He would’ve given the shirt off of his back for a stranger at any time and enjoyed helping or taking care of those around him. When you think of Ken, celebrate him by the good times and good memories he has created. He would want to remind you that life should be lived to the fullest. His legacy will never be forgotten. His kind, gentle soul will be dearly missed by all who knew him and forever live in our hearts. 

    Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Monday, November 15th, 2021, at Argyle Bible Church, Colchester, with Rev. Victor Randle. Visitation with the family will be 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Sunday, November 14th, 2021, at the Jones Mortuary, Colchester. Friends may view and sign the register book at the funeral home after 8:30 A.M. Sunday. Memorial is to St. Judes Children Hospital. Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at jonesmortuaryfh.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kenneth Lee McEntire, please visit our floral store.