Kenneth Dewey Hairgrove

Photo added by Jeffrey Lynn Johnson

 

Kenneth Dewey Hairgrove 

BIRTH

Buena Vista, Bexar County, Texas, USA

DEATH 21 Apr 2021 (aged 82)
BURIAL

Stockdale, Wilson County, Texas, USA
MEMORIAL ID 225974353 · View Source

SUGGEST EDITS

Kenneth Dewey Hairgrove
Thursday, February 2, 1939 - Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Obituary

Dr. Kenneth Dewey Hairgrove went to rest on April 21, 2021. He was born on February 2, 1939, in the Buena Vista Community in East Texas to Agnes Burns and Dewey Jefferson Hairgrove. Kenneth began his education in a one-room schoolhouse and continued his education at Timpson High School where he graduated in 1957. He then attended Stephen F. Austin University where he graduated with Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees. While at SFA, he played the baritone saxophone in the band. Ken grew up attending the Buena Vista Baptist Church in his hometown and later was a member of Manor Baptist Church in San Antonio. His first teaching job was in Port Arthur, Texas, in 1963. He moved to San Antonio to teach History at San Antonio College (SAC). During this time, he was also able to attend Texas Tech University and received a Doctor of Philosophy with a major in History in 1974. Kenneth spent his career at SAC and presented his classes with a genuine enjoyment of history and was loved by his students. He was an innovative professor and was one of the first in his department to serve as the professor for history telecourses. Before his retirement in 2008 as Professor Emeritus, he served as the Department Chair of History. Shortly after coming to San Antonio, he was introduced to Sarah Jane Pearson by his cousin. Their first date was an evening at a square dance after a rare snowfall in San Antonio. They were married in 1970 at the First Baptist Church in Stockdale, Sarah's hometown. Ken and Sarah enjoyed traveling and visiting with family and friends. Ken liked yard work and growing different kinds of plants, experimenting with those he was not familiar with. He went to many art shows with Sarah and helped in setting them up and talking with visitors from all over the world. Ken loved animals, especially cats—among which were Abby, Kiki, Eliza, Opie, and Chloe—and one dog Samantha. They were treated as family members and led very special lives.
Kenneth was a kind, gentle, and thoughtful person. If someone needed help, he was glad to give it. He was a frequent donor to the South Texas Blood Bank. Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents Agnes Burns and Dewey Jefferson Hairgrove, a brother Marion Hairgrove, and sisters Lurline Hairgrove Cole and Elaine Hairgrove Neal. He is survived by his loving wife Sarah, with whom he celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary on July 18, 2020, nieces and nephews—Stanley Hairgrove, Brian Hairgrove, Brett Hairgrove, Randy Hairgrove, Alan Hairgrove, Jeff Neal, Sheryl Gollier, Janis Hairgrove, and many cousins and friends. The family thanks Cornerstone Assisted Living and Embrace Hospice for their loving care. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, April 24, 2021, at Finch Funeral Home in Stockdale, Texas. Visitation will be at 1:30 p.m. with a service to begin at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow at the Stockdale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Alamo Colleges Foundation, 2222 N. Alamo, San Antonio, TX 78215 or to the Buena Vista Cemetery Association, PO Box 629, Timpson, TX 75975.