Kenneth L. Harnden

WEAVERVILLE—Kenneth L. Harnden, age 79, of 17 High Bluff Drive, died Monday, May 28, 2012. Ken was born March 24, 1933, in Altoona, Pa., where he lived until 1956. He earned a B.S. degree in Petroleum Engineering from Penn State University. Then he entered the Air Force serving in Korea after which he went to work with Marathon Oil Company for 36 years. Ken was a resident of Weaverville since 1992, having lived in Illinois, Michigan, Texas, Louisiana, and Indiana. He enjoyed golf and played with the New Friends Golf Group. He also played the banjo and loved listening to blue grass music. His dog Snowflake was his best friend. He was a member at St. Paul's United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth Clayton and Dorothy Hofmann Harnden. Surviving are his wife of 58 years, Gretchen H. Harnden; daughters, Cynthia L. Cook and husband Wes of The Woodlands, Texas, and Debora L. Kelly and husband David of Weaverville; son, Dennis K. Harnden of Katy, Texas; grandchildren, Courtney L. Albert, Aaron K. Cook, Keenan J. Cook, Matthew D. Kelly, Amanda L. Kelly, Brianna N. Bourne, and Shane C. Harnden; and great grandchildren, R.C. Albert, V, and Grayson B. Albert. His memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 1, 2012, at St. Paul's United Methodist Church with Rev. In-Yong Lee officiating. The family will greet friends starting at 10:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Boy Scout Troop 91, St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 223 Hillside St., Asheville, NC 28801. For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Mr. Harnden's obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.