Ken Swender

C. Kennedy "Ken" Swender, 85, longtime educator and Parsons resident, passed away at 2:56 p.m., Thursday, November 5, 2020, at Neodesha Care and Rehab in Neodesha, Kansas.

Clyde Kennedy Swender was born on December 30, 1934, to Clyde Elver and Martha Virginia (Kennedy) Swender in Kansas City, Kansas. As a young boy, he grew up and attended school in the Blue Mound area, graduating from Blue Mound High School in 1952. He then attended Pittsburg State University, until entering the United States Army, which included being stationed in Germany for a time. Following his service, Ken earned a Bachelor's degree from Emporia State University. He later continued his education and earned a Master's degree and an Ed. S. from Emporia State University.

His long career in education began as a teacher at Haddam, Kansas, and then at Scranton, Kansas. In 1968, Ken came to Altamont, where he was a guidance counselor and coach for Labette County High School. For many years, he helped many LCHS students as the Assistant Principal and Athletic Director until his retirement in 2000. Two short months after his retirement, Ken was coordinator of counselors and advisors at Independence Community College for three years.

A committed Christian, Ken was an active member of the Parsons Nazarene Church. In earlier years he had been a member of the Altamont United Methodist Church. As a member of the Parsons Nazarene Church, Ken served on the church board, was a Sunday School Superintendent and taught Bible study classes at local nursing homes for many years. He served as the Board President of the Labette County Corrections Camp, at the time it was being organized and started.

Ken's greatest enjoyment came from spending time with his family and especially watching his grandchildren's sports and other activities. He also loved going to Wal Mart.

On April 27, 1964, Ken and Mary Lovesta Parrish were united in marriage in Jefferson City, Missouri. She survives of the home.

Survivors include:

His wife – Mary Lovesta (Parrish) Swender, of the home

Five daughters – Kelly Bedore and her husband, Todd, of Parsons, Kansas

Kimberly Swender of Hutchinson, Kansas

Cindy Bogner and her husband, Mike, of Parsons, Kansas

Teresa Higgins of Neodesha, Kansas

Linda Yau and her husband, Frank, of Kansas City, Missouri

One son – Jerry Miers of Kansas City, Kansas

Fifteen grandchildren

Twenty-five great-grandchildren

Two great-great grandsons

The funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 10, 2020, officiated by his grandson, Rev. Tyler Allen at the Parsons Nazarene Church. In honor of Ken's dedication to education and athletics and his love for both Labette County and Parsons High Schools, friends are encouraged to wear Grizzly or Viking gear to the service. Burial will take place at Oakwood Cemetery in Parsons with military honors presented by the Brown-Bishop VFW Post 704. The family will receive friends 6 – 8:00 p.m., Monday, at the Parsons Nazarene Church. Friends may call at the funeral home to sign the register from 1 – 8:00 p.m., Sunday. The funeral service can be viewed live on the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home Facebook page. For all events, social distancing guidelines will be followed, including the requirement of face masks.

Memorials are suggested to Parsons Recreation Commission -Scholarship Fund. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.