Obituary for Kenneth Ray Blough Jr.
Leoti- Kenneth Ray Blough, Jr., 85, died Thursday May 20, 2021 at Parklane Nursing home in Scott City, Kansas. He was born June 7, 1935 in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, the son of Kenneth Ray, Sr. and Neva Dorothy (Rose) Blough. On June 12, 1959, Emily Lucille Stutzman, the pretty girl he had whistled at outside Ripple’s Ice Cream became his wife, a union of 61 years.
Ray grew up in the mountains of Pennsylvania where he started his career as a truck driver. His first job being the driver of a 1955 97 horsepower White 9000 pulling a 30 foot flatbed loaded down with silica firebrick for the steel mills; back when the push trucks with glowing red smokestacks were a persons only way up the mountainside. Ray had a strong work ethic, while working harvest he drove a cab-less gleaner combine with a 16 ft. draper head and his boss at the time kindly gave him a net to wear over his head with a fistful of cigars to keep the mosquitoes away. When the steel mills went on strike Ray just couldn’t stand the thought of sitting around, so he came to Kansas knowing he could find work, and a hard worker he was. Ray and Lucy settled in Shallow Water and after working for different farmers in the area he ran the Collingwood Grain, Inc. He then went to run the fleet of trucks out of the old Centry 21 refinery between Scott City and Garden City.These were also the days when the old stationary oil Derrick's of the Nun Oil Pool filled the sky's.When he needed more trucks to haul crude oil, this is when he met Gene Hibbs of GroendykeTransportation and became very good friends. In the early 80’s he and Lucy moved to Leoti, where they owned and operated Jack’s Restaurant. The two of them made quite the pair and became a highly sought after Trucking Duo. In Ray’s time as a driver with Groendyke he received an award for over one million miles safe driving and more so in his time with National Carriers not only did he receive an award for over three million miles safe driving he and Lucy were a Priority Team, often times dropping their own load to dead head across the US to finish a job for someone else and meet a scheduled deadline.
Ray was a prayer warrior for and with his friends from Full Gospel Men's Fellowship, Prairie View Church at Friend, Ks and here in Leoti, Transports for Christ international and sometimes in the middle of the night. He had hosts of friends. He was true patriot and loved America having served in both the Army and National Guard. He was a friend to all and lived by the Ten Commandments maybe even adding in one or two of his own. He enjoyed music and would just sit and listen as Lucy played the organ in the back room. He loved his community and wanted to make sure the kids always had a safe place to be kids and have fun. Ray served not only as President but also is one of the 9 founders of the Wichita County Amusement Association that still to this day affords kids that opportunity.
Ray is survived by his Wife- Lucy of the home; Children- Renee Louise (Rick) Gilmore of Leoti, Wilfred Wayne (Jennie Van Dyke) Blough of Nacogdoches, Texas, and Clifford Ray Blough of Leoti; Grandchildren- Benjamin (Kayln Roberts) Blough of San Antonio, Texas, Katherine Blough of Nacogdoches, Texas, and Jeff Gilmore of Terry, Mississippi; Brother- William Charles (Lois Kuchera) Blough of Yucca Valley, California; Sister-in-Law- Maria Blough of Gallop, New Mexico; Nieces and Nephews- Polly Blough of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Jenna Blough (Ryan Jones) of Los Angeles, California, Marcy (Kip) Dawkins of Richmond, Virginia; as well as three great nieces and nephews.
Ray was preceded in death by his Parents, Brother- Alvin Blough, and Nephew- J.J. Blough.
Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am Friday May 28, 2021 at the Christ Covenant Church in Leoti, Kansas with Jeff Crist officiating. Following the funeral service dinner will be served from the ladies of the church all are welcome to stay. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Wichita County Amusement Association in care of Garnand Funeral Home. Condolences may be posted by visiting www.garnandfuneralhomes.com
Garnand Funeral Home 412 North 7th Garden City, Ks 67846 620-276-3219
Ray grew up in the mountains of Pennsylvania where he started his career as a truck driver. His first job being the driver of a 1955 97 horsepower White 9000 pulling a 30 foot flatbed loaded down with silica firebrick for the steel mills; back when the push trucks with glowing red smokestacks were a persons only way up the mountainside. Ray had a strong work ethic, while working harvest he drove a cab-less gleaner combine with a 16 ft. draper head and his boss at the time kindly gave him a net to wear over his head with a fistful of cigars to keep the mosquitoes away. When the steel mills went on strike Ray just couldn’t stand the thought of sitting around, so he came to Kansas knowing he could find work, and a hard worker he was. Ray and Lucy settled in Shallow Water and after working for different farmers in the area he ran the Collingwood Grain, Inc. He then went to run the fleet of trucks out of the old Centry 21 refinery between Scott City and Garden City.These were also the days when the old stationary oil Derrick's of the Nun Oil Pool filled the sky's.When he needed more trucks to haul crude oil, this is when he met Gene Hibbs of GroendykeTransportation and became very good friends. In the early 80’s he and Lucy moved to Leoti, where they owned and operated Jack’s Restaurant. The two of them made quite the pair and became a highly sought after Trucking Duo. In Ray’s time as a driver with Groendyke he received an award for over one million miles safe driving and more so in his time with National Carriers not only did he receive an award for over three million miles safe driving he and Lucy were a Priority Team, often times dropping their own load to dead head across the US to finish a job for someone else and meet a scheduled deadline.
Ray was a prayer warrior for and with his friends from Full Gospel Men's Fellowship, Prairie View Church at Friend, Ks and here in Leoti, Transports for Christ international and sometimes in the middle of the night. He had hosts of friends. He was true patriot and loved America having served in both the Army and National Guard. He was a friend to all and lived by the Ten Commandments maybe even adding in one or two of his own. He enjoyed music and would just sit and listen as Lucy played the organ in the back room. He loved his community and wanted to make sure the kids always had a safe place to be kids and have fun. Ray served not only as President but also is one of the 9 founders of the Wichita County Amusement Association that still to this day affords kids that opportunity.
Ray is survived by his Wife- Lucy of the home; Children- Renee Louise (Rick) Gilmore of Leoti, Wilfred Wayne (Jennie Van Dyke) Blough of Nacogdoches, Texas, and Clifford Ray Blough of Leoti; Grandchildren- Benjamin (Kayln Roberts) Blough of San Antonio, Texas, Katherine Blough of Nacogdoches, Texas, and Jeff Gilmore of Terry, Mississippi; Brother- William Charles (Lois Kuchera) Blough of Yucca Valley, California; Sister-in-Law- Maria Blough of Gallop, New Mexico; Nieces and Nephews- Polly Blough of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Jenna Blough (Ryan Jones) of Los Angeles, California, Marcy (Kip) Dawkins of Richmond, Virginia; as well as three great nieces and nephews.
Ray was preceded in death by his Parents, Brother- Alvin Blough, and Nephew- J.J. Blough.
Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am Friday May 28, 2021 at the Christ Covenant Church in Leoti, Kansas with Jeff Crist officiating. Following the funeral service dinner will be served from the ladies of the church all are welcome to stay. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Wichita County Amusement Association in care of Garnand Funeral Home. Condolences may be posted by visiting www.garnandfuneralhomes.com
Garnand Funeral Home 412 North 7th Garden City, Ks 67846 620-276-3219