Kenneth "Papa" "Gene" Conder

Kenneth "Papa" “Gene” Conder, 90, of Owensboro, passed away on March 6, 2025, at the Heartford House while under the care of Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky. He was born November 26, 1934, in Breckenridge County to the late Herbert and Helen Dooley Conder. Gene proudly served in the United States Army, earning the rank of SGT and was retired from the Owensboro Fire Department where he retired as Captain. On his days off from the fire department he worked for Kuester’s for 28 ½ years, basically from when the store opened until its closing. He and his wife, Jeanette, were also longtime members of Owensboro Christian Church. Gene was a great husband, father and grandfather, known by many as a kind, gentle man.

He was a 3rd degree Mason since 1977, a member of the Ensor Lodge #729, a member of the Rizpah Shrine Temple in Madisonville, a 32nd degree Scottish Right, and a Kentucky Colonel.

Along with his parents, he is also preceded in death by his brothers, Tommy, Reid, Jack, Larry, Bobby, and Bruce Conder.

Gene is survived by his wife of nearly 70 years, Jeanette Shadwick Conder; a daughter, Valerie (Bill) Swope; a son, Kenny Conder; 2 grandchildren, Chaney (Eric) Mayer and Erin Michael Judd; 3 great- grandchildren, Jaden Jeffries, Aynsley Jeffries, and Tanner Mayer; a sister, Linda Durbin; brother, Robert “Buddy” Conder; and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Gene Conder will be at 12 p.m. Monday, March 10, 2025, at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory, with Dr. Ben Shadwick officiating. The visitation will be from 1 until 4 p.m. on Sunday and from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Monday, all at the funeral home. The burial will be at Owensboro Memorial Gardens with full military honors.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Heartford House, c/o Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky 3419 Wathen’s Crossing Owensboro, KY 42301, and the Shriner’s Children’s Headquarters c/o Donor Relations 2900 North Rocky Point Drive Tampa, FL 33607.

Memories and condolences for the family of Gene Conder may be left at www.glenncares.com