Kenneth Ray Foote
Obituary
Ken, a master storyteller, was well-known for his outgoing personality, dry wit, and incredible sense of humor. A loving husband and devoted father, Ken doted on his wife, Marsha, of 43 years, and his two sons, Jay and Shawn.
Ken loved spending his weekends with his wife at the lake. An amateur inventor and master tinkerer, he would spend hours building baskets out of chicken wire for the breakwater. Marsha would fill them with rocks, and they would continue until they were tired, it was dark, or they simply needed more supplies. Any other couple would buy a lake house to relax, rather than to take on more projects. Never a fan of being idle, they were constantly at each other’s side, working and creating. They were perfect complements.
His sons will always remember his as a loving and supportive father who always there for them no matter what. Everything they learned about home improvement, whether correct or simply close enough, was taught by him. As young boys, nothing enthralled them more than climbing onto the roof, crawling under the house, or digging a hole, as long as they were by their dad’s side. Ken could fix anything with $3 in old parts, a couple of hours, and usually a pint of his blood.
His grandkids, Quinlan, “Sweet Pea”, and Hayden, “Big Shorty”, were the center of his world. When his Sweet Pea was obsessed with door stops, he bought every different style he could find, screwed them into a piece of wood, and gave it to her to play with. It was a hit! He loved toy shopping for them, taking them on treasure hunts with a metal detector to find pirate gold, or doing whatever he could think of to make them smile. They will remember a loving person whose world revolved around them. They adored him. Ken couldn’t wait to meet his newest grandson, Colt Walker.
A self-reliant family man, Ken’s compassion drove him to play an active and committed role in his community. As a veteran of the United State Marine Corps, he was always willing to get involved. Whether it was building a playground, coaching a team, or sleeping in freezing temperatures at his son’s Cub Scout camp out in a child’s size He-Man sleeping bag, Ken was there. Later in his life, he was passionate about the neighborhood association and volunteering for local events. Family, friends, community, or just someone that needed help changing a tire, Ken never met a stranger. He pitched in with a smile and a willing spirit. He was truly a man with a heart of gold.
Events
Tributes & Memories
Marsha and family, I’m so sorry to hear this! Even though we have grown apart over the years, I’ve thought an you all so often.
Liz Wood Smith
Dear Marsha, Jay and Shawn, Rick and I are so sorry to hear about Ken. He always had something good or funny to share. He had the ability to be amused at life’s irony rather than frustrated by it. Please know our thoughts are with you and we are sorry to have missed seeing you on Monday. Love to you all, Kathy Rodgers
Kathy Rodgers
Ken I’ll miss all our talks about quarter midget racing, I’ll always cherish our time we worked together at the creek,you were a great friend. my son will be running a Foote sticker with a halo on his wing this season in your honor, I’ll miss ya old friend. Til we meet again...
Jeremy Parrish
Marsha and family, I am so sorry to hear this! Ken will be missed by many!!While it has been years since I have seen you guys you have always been in my thought! Growing up together, watching you marry your best friend and then seeing you in love after the birth of your children!! while life moved me away, you have always been part of my family. Please let me know what I can do to help you through this time! Love to you all!! Janet
Janet Ford
I didn't know Ken in the 60's or 70's. We first made contact in the mid 1980's when he started calling on us at Pawnee Lumber. But over the next 30 years we got to know about each other in the 60's and 70's and while our paths took different directions we realized that our hearts and minds found a similar home.Talking with Ken was always a pleasure and the directions those conversations took were interesting to say the least. I'm going to miss that and all of us at Pawnee Lumber are going to miss a good friend. Our thoughts are with his family.
Don Speicher, Pawnee Lumber
Oh my! It has been so many years since Kenny and some neighborhood friends came by and asked me to go to a baseball game at McClure Park summer of 1965! In the car was Chuck Ivey and Gary Guhl , whom I dated and eventually married his older brother! Kenny was always so much fun, loved Root Beer and ice tea like no other, always smiling and kind! Still looked the same in the handsome picture of him! Sounds like he was a wonderful family man, enjoying family life to the hilt!! All my memories of him as a young girl living in the same neighborhood bring smiles to my face ! A life well-lived!! Rest in peace my friend.
Jeanie Butchee Guhl
I didn't know Ken after high school. But from the admirable words of his obituary, I can see a lot of the character of this very fine man, who will be missed by his many close friends and family. Although young, he lived a very full life. For those who may be terribly sorrowed I can offer a fine recommendation for your grief. Look for priest John R. Claypool's books on Amazon, or other resources. Then acquire is finest work, the book "Tracks of a Fellow Struggler." This book will take you through your grief. After that, you will find Claypool's "The Hopeful Heart" very useful for mending your heart and soul. May God bless.
Glenn Combs
I am so sorry to hear of Ken‘s passing. We had a few classes together in school & I remember Ken as a very friendly person. Please accept my deepest condolences. Wes Bossard
Wes Bossard
Ken was like a Dad to me, We worked together 25 years ago. I was an outside Sales rep and so was Ken. If I got into a sticky situation with an order or customer... I'd call Ken and he'd help bail me out. Some of my fondest memories: Ken made a Drawing of body and face of Ed Holcomb on paper. Ed worked with us at G/P. Ken cut it out and taped it to a pencil. He sat in an office with a window and from time to time...He'd make " Ed on a Stick" dance for us....too funny. Not Sure Ed loved the dance as much as we did. I also won't forget when he took me to his Mom's house to eat lunch... what a treat. Bet there's a few of you who remember that he bought some Goats. He'd always tell me bout his goats. Lastly, He always had to give me an update on his boys. Where they were and what they were doing. ( He was proud of those boys) He'd also update me on what Marsha was up to. The last couple of years. I'd call into Cedar Creek and we "catch up". He's always interested in what I'm doing. Bet ya I've laughed a couple of thousand times because of his wit and humor. Man will this guy be missed!! Condolences Martha and Jay and Sean. Lonnie Lee Busby
Lonnie Busby
I did know Ken other than meeting him at the Brookside Neighborhood Association meetings. He was a very pleasurable man. He will be missed. Gordon
Gordon Shelton
My condolences to Marsha, Jay and Shawn on the passing of Ken. I had the pleasure of working with Ken at G-P in Tulsa for 6 years and continued a lasting friendship the past 25 years. Always loved hearing stories about Jay and Shawn, and of course his loving wife Marsha. He would come by and see me at Cedar Creek when he was in Oklahoma City and we would catch up on our families. I will truly miss his smile, mints, and friendship. Blessings to the Foote family during this time.
Don Daugherty
Ken will be terribly missed. My wife and I own Stigler Home Center. Ken has been our order contact for a couple of years. He was amazingly helpful and very dependable. Ken will be very hard to replace. Stigler Home Center will truly miss Ken. Sorry for your loss, Bill Cariker and Stigler Home Center
Bill Cariker
Marsha, Jay and Shawn. I’m so sorry for your loss. I never saw Ken without a smile. I hope the wonderful memories will get you through this difficult time. Lynda Overturf
Lynda Overturf
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Ken. I worked with him 25years ago at GP Tulsa and still hold many memories of our time together. Please accept my condolences. His family and friends will be in my thoughts and prayers. Ken made a lasting impression on my life and will never be forgotten!
Tammy Freeman
Ken was one of the nicest men I've ever met! My Dad passed away suddenly on Monday, of last week and on Wednesday, when I came to work Ken brought me a Reasors sack that had candy in it. I called it my comfort food. He patted my shoulder and said it was going to be alright. Ken didn't have to say anything, you just knew that he truly cared. He was a very compassionate man!!! He loved his family and talked about them often! He will be truly missed by all who had the opportunity to know him! I'm so sorry for your loss!!! RIP Ken!
Lori Burleson
It was a pleasure to get to know Ken through my affiliation with the Brookside Neighborhood Association. I'm so sad to learn of his unexpected passing. Sending my most sincere condolences to the family. God Bless
Penni Shelton
Marsha, I am so sorry for your loss. I remember the times that Ken & I worked together and how it was so enjoyable being around someone with a good honest sense of humor. The days went by so much easier when Ken was around, you never knew what he was going to say next. I can not imagine what you are going through, but I remember you as a strong person (which you had to be with Ken) you will make it through this OK with time. If Jan or I can do anything ,please just let us know.
Todd Fradd