Kenneth “Ken” Deel

Kenneth Ray Deel, known to friends as Ken, passed away in Granbury, Texas, on January 14, 2019, at the age of 91. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Wilma Jean Deel. A quiet man by nature, Ken Deel’s love for family, church and community spoke clearly.

Kenneth Deel is survived by his sister Phyllis Dodson of Bowie, three children, Nancy Deel Ratliff and her husband Dan of San Antonio, Jeannie Deel Humphrey and her husband Brad of Granbury, and Bob Deel and his wife Mary Beth of San Francisco, CA, four grandchildren, Katie Humphrey Devine and her husband Nathan of San Antonio, Colby Humphrey and his wife Emily of Austin, Camille Ratliff Guzel and her husband Baris of Fresno, CA, and Kenton Ratliff of northern California, one great-grandchild, Parker Humphrey, and five nieces and nephews.

Born in Holdenville, Oklahoma on November 11, 1927, Ken grew up in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas. He served in the Army during the final year of World War II and went afterwards to Texas Tech University, graduating with bachelor of science in chemical engineering.

He married Wilma Jean Virgin on January 29, 1951 and spent the next 35 years as a chemical engineer with Philips Petroleum, working in Borger and Sweeny, Texas, and Milan, Italy.

Ken was very active in the Borger community, serving as a deacon and Sunday School teacher in First Baptist Church and an active member of the Lion’s Club. He was a board member for Frank Phillips College and designed the baseball stadium for the college. In retirement, he lived in Bowie, TX, where he was active in the Presbyterian Church, Bowie Senior Center, and Meals on Wheels. After moving to Granbury, he was a member at Lakeside Baptist Church and served in the Loaves and Fishes ministry. He was an avid golfer, quail hunter and fisherman but most of all he loved spending time with his family.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research at www.stopsarcoidosis.org.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 19, 2019, at 3:00 PM at Wiley Funeral Home, Granbury.