Birth Born on July 13, 1935 in Tom, McCurtain Co., OK Death Died on March 23, 2019 in Shulenburg, Fayette Co., TX Buried in Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery in Columbus, Colorado Co., TX Marriages LANCASTER, Betty Lois Married on July 02, 1993 in Fort Bend Co., TX Notes Obituary: Kenneth Roy Gills, 83, of Columbus, passed away on March 23 in Schulenburg, Texas. "Mr. Ken" to his Columbus area family and friends was born on July 13, 1935 to Roy Lee Gills and Nancy Oleta Jones Gills in Tom, Oklahoma. Ken spent many years in the service of the United States Navy as a Chief Petty Officer on the ship the USS Beatty. After retiring from the Navy, he remained an active alumni. He and his wife Betty traveled all over the country for reunions of the USS Beatty. After marrying Betty Calhoun Fowler and moving to Columbus, Texas, Ken gained a loving "step family" and became an active member of the First United Methodist Church. In addition to his active church service, travel, and family, Ken loved to spend time fixing and tinkering in his garage and at the "pond house." Ken was known for his storytelling and belly-laugh inducing one-liners. After many summers spent with Betty in Colorado, Ken always came home with tales of their adventures. His family and friends will miss a loving, kind, reliable, funny, and generous soul. In addition to a laundry list of friends and extended family, Ken is survived by his wife, partner, and best friend Betty Lancaster Gills; son Mark Kenneth Gills; son Kevin Roy Gills and wife Carlisa; daughter Deborah Ann Graves and husband, Stephen; daughter Pamela Marie O'Dell; stepdaughter Cathy Blymyer and husband Paul; stepson Scott Calhoun and wife Susan; stepdaughter Cindi Schneider and husband Jim; stepson Cary Calhoun and Jam Fong; and stepdaughter Kayley Kovar and husband Jeff. Ken was a proud and involved grandfather and great-grandfather, he will be missed by his grandchildren: Taylor Canai and Collin Christopher O’Dell, Colton Roy and Jayden Roy Gills, Ashlyn Butler; Dawn Vrana and husband Ryan; Kacy Kovar Dusek and husband, Byron; Dustin Blymyer and wife, Arlynne; Erin Rader and husband, Aaron; Erica Mercer and husband, Michael; Luke Calhoun; and Veronica Jackson and husband, Cameron; and great grandchildren: Carter Christopher Taylor, Avery, Parker, and Quinn Vrana, Ava and Bennett Blymyer, Rockwell and Rosalie Dusek, and Baby Rader. Visitation will be held Thursday March 28, 2019 from 9:00 am to 10:00 am at First United Methodist Church in Columbus, TX. Funeral Services will be Thursday March 28, 2019 at 10:00 am at First United Methodist Church with Pastor Mark Brechin officiating. Burial will be in Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery in Columbus. Memorials may be given to First United Methodist Church, 1229 Milam St., Columbus, TX 78934 or to the charity of your choice. Occupation: US Navy Chief Petty Officer Sources Findagrave.com: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/197815334/kenneth-roy-gills Images Kenneth Gills