Kenneth McFarland (Ken) Stockdale passed away peacefully at age 70, while at home with his family, on October 20, 2015. Ken was born January 24, 1945, in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, to Harry McFarland Stockdale and Ruby Effie Perkinson Stockdale. At the time of Ken's birth, his father, Harry, was valiantly serving in the U.S. Army 101st Airborne "Screaming Eagles" in the Battle of the Bulge. Ken spent his infancy with his mother, Ruby, and his maternal grandparents, William Thomas Perkinson and Effie Crowder Perkinson. His father, Harry, returned home from war with a Purple Heart award in 1945 and moved his family to Ardmore, Oklahoma, in 1946, where Ken was raised with his younger brother, Thomas William (Tom) Stockdale.

Ken, an excellent student and athlete, exceptionally well-liked, and a young man of character, played football, basketball, and baseball at Ardmore High School, lettering three years in all three sports. He was selected as a member of Oklahoma's 1963 All-State football and All-State baseball teams. Ken played on the Oklahoma All-Star team in the Oil Bowl of 1963, where he set two records for longest pass completion (82 yards) and total offense for an individual (155 yards), both of which still stand today. During Ken's junior year, he began dating his high school sweetheart and future bride, Kathryn Lee (Kathy) Smith.

Ken was highly recruited by several universities and ultimately chose Baylor University, where he was quarterback from 1963-1967. During his time at Baylor, Ken was involved in student life, football and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He married his beloved, Kathy, on December 22, 1967, and graduated in May 1968 with a BA in History.
Following graduation, Ken and Kathy moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas, where Ken coached under the legendary Frank Broyles at University of Arkansas. Ken was honored to coach the Texas-Arkansas Game of the Century in 1969, an experience he would later write about in his book, Southwest Conference Football: The Classic 60's. Ken and Kathy began their family together in Arkansas, where Ken also began his career in Real Estate. He worked for Cooper Communities in Bella Vista and in Cherokee Village.

In 1973, they settled in Denton, Texas—home to the Stockdale family today. Ken spent 14 years working at Lake Country Estates, a primary home subdivision on Eagle Mountain Lake. In the early '80s, he opened Sir Kenneth Realty in Denton, which was later known as Ken Stockdale REALTOR. Ken was very involved in the Greater Denton-Wise County Association of Realtors, where he also served as President from 1999-2000. Ken was extremely honored to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award by Greater Denton-Wise County Association of Realtors in 2013.

Ken has always been incredibly active in his community and church. He served on The Executive Board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, on the YMCA Board of Denton, and as a deacon at First Baptist Church of Denton. He served in numerous capacities at church, but his favorite role was teaching and investing in the lives of others. Ken joyfully taught Sunday school to high school seniors with his wife, Kathy, for over 22 years and served young adult couples for numerous years thereafter. In serving His Savior and community, Ken's life exemplified Luke 10:27—he was a man who loved the Lord with all his heart, soul, mind and strength, and loved his neighbor as himself. Ken was a real leader and a humble servant; he knew how to love others well. His humility, generosity and loyalty are all hallmarks of that which he valued most: faith, family and friends.

Ken and Kathy were married nearly 48 years, and have been blessed with three children and five grandchildren. Ken loved coaching his kids' ball games, cheering on his grandkids, hitting the golf course, tossing horseshoes, playing a little 42 with friends, spending time with their dogs, and rooting for his beloved Baylor Bears, Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys. Ken loved to Sic 'Em, hug 'em and love 'em all. To know Ken, was to love him; he will be greatly missed.

Ken is survived by his loving wife, Kathy Stockdale, along with their children: Kraig Stockdale, and wife, Carrie, of Plano, TX, Kara Adams and husband, Corey, of Denton, TX, Kristen Caswell and husband, Micah, of Denton, TX; their five grandchildren: Caroline, Brody, Mason, Kenlee and Emma Kate; his brother, Tom Stockdale and wife, Jan, of Rogers, AR; his uncle, Bob Perkinson and wife, Maxine, of Bullhead City, AZ; his aunt, Julie Perkinson of Menifee, CA; his step-siblings: Kerry P. Roberts and wife, Kerry Lynn, of Madill, OK, Kris Roberts and wife, Tammy, of Bixby, OK, and Kathi Roberts Hester and husband, Dennis, of Wilson, OK; many cousins, nieces and nephews; and numerous friends.

He is predeceased by his grandparents, T.J. and Nana Stockdale, William Thomas and Effie Perkinson; his father, Harry Stockdale; his mother, Ruby Roberts and her husband, Bill Roberts; his parents-in-law, Woodrow and Vernon Smith; his brother-in-law, J. Ken Smith; and several beloved aunts, uncles and cousins.

The visitation will be held from 2-4PM on Sunday, October 25, 2015, at Bill DeBerry Funeral Directors. The Memorial Service celebrating Ken's life will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, October 26, 2015, at First Baptist Church of Denton. Dr. Jeff Williams, Dr. Wayne Blankenship, Rev. Tommy Nelson and son-in-law, Rev. Micah Caswell, will officiate the service. Pallbearers are nephews, Todd Stockdale, Michael Ray Stockdale, Jeff Baldwin, Steve Grife, Greg Ehlers, and cousins, Bob Ledbetter and Charles Lynch. Honorary pallbearers include all of Ken's friends, whom he loved like brothers, too numerous to name. Graveside service and burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Ardmore, OK.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Dr. Carlos Cruz, who ministered to and cared for Ken; the Jay Harris Hospice Staff who served Ken in his final days; and to all those whose medical care blessed Ken and his family. For those desiring, memorial donations are suggested to the family's home churches: Redeemer Church of Denton, Micah Caswell, pastor, 5017 Teasley Lane, Suite No. 145 #22, Denton, TX 76210 and First Baptist Church of Denton, Children's Building Fund, 1100 Malone, Denton, TX 76201.