Kenneth Eugene Laningham, 81, of Muskogee, passed away Saturday, November 14, 2009, at the Muskogee VA Hospital. Kenneth was born on March 2, 1928, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, the son of Calvin Nathaniel and Grady Lelia (Dennis) Laningham. Kenneth enlisted in the United Stated Navy on April 27, 1945 and was honorably discharged on June 1, 1946. Kenneth then enlisted in the United States Air Force on August 17, 1947 and was honorably discharged on September 16, 1953. He married Betty Ruth Spradley on January 9, 1957 in Muskogee. They were happily married for 52 years. Kenneth worked for the Muskogee Fire Department for over twenty-five years. While serving as a firefighter, Kenneth was promoted to Drill Master/Assistant Fire Marshal under Chief John Stevens with rank of Assistant Chief. He was later changed to Training Officer. He also worked part-time as a State Instructor for Oklahoma State University Fire Service Training teaching volunteer fire departments. Kenneth attended Connors during night school while working at the fire department and received his Associates Degree. He retired from the Muskogee School for the Blind after 17 years plus war time credit. Kenneth was a member of the Muskogee Church of Christ and he taught bible classes at the West Side Church of Christ. Survivors include: his wife, Betty, of the home; his son, Steven Laningham of Muskogee; his daughters, Paula Morgan and husband Jack of Fort Smith, Kimberly Edwards of Edmond and Carla Johnson and husband Jimmy of Hulbert; his brothers, Thomas "Butch" Caster and wife Brenda of Muskogee, Calvin Laningham and wife Debbie of Fayetteville and Curtis Laningham and wife Jeanette of Fayetteville; his sisters, Donna Ford and husband Billy of Coweta, Lee Roberts and husband Ted of Fayetteville and Louis Loghry and husband Mike of Fayetteville; seven grandchildren, Bart Jones and wife Shawnda, Kendy Brown and husband Adam, John Michael Palovik, Krista Palovik, Aubree Johnson, Landon Johnson and Chase Johnson and six great grandchildren, Jordan Jones, Noah Brown, Cameryn Jones, Alexis Johnson, Kane Brown and Morgan Jones. Kenneth is preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 18, 2009, at the Muskogee Church of Christ on Okay Road with Minister Bart Jones and Bill Johnson officiating. Pallbearers will be Jack Morgan, Adam Brown, Jimmy Johnson, Landon Johnson, Chase Johnson, John Michael Palovik, Josh Ford and Brandon Caster. Burial will follow at the Greenlawn Cemetery in Checotah. Services are under the direction of Hunn, Black and Merritt Funeral Home and Crematory of Eufaula.
Published in the Muskogee Phoenix from 11/16/2009 - 11/17/2009