Kenneth Clayton Gaddis

Kenneth Clayton Gaddis, 80, of Owensboro passed away April 5, 2014 at the University of Louisville Hospital. Born in Owensboro, the son of the late Walter and Madra Hendricks Gaddis, Kenneth was a firefighter, a musician, and a businessman. He retired after 36 years from the Owensboro Fire Department, where he had been the driver of Engine Number 1. A drummer and singer, he performed for many years with Kentucky Sunshine, an area country and western band. Mr. Gaddis served as a member of the Naval Reserve. His business interests included an asphalt company and a tile company. Kenneth loved fishing and the outdoors. His fondness for travel included cruises and month-long road trips. He served as a volunteer at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital. His love of the University of Kentucky Wildcats went beyond avid and well on to rabid. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Jean Gaddis and his sister Ann Cox.

Mr. Gaddis is survived by his children, Vicki Alvey and her husband Autis of Boonville, IN, Tim Gaddis and his wife Paula of Franklin, TN, and Doug Gaddis and his partner Gary Begin of Kensington, MD; his grandchildren Matthew Gaddis, Meagan Emerson and her husband Mike, and Samantha Ripple and her husband Bruce; his great-grandchildren Eli Emerson and Olivia Emerson; his loving companion Carrie Holland; his sister-in-law Janie Robinson; his brother-in-law Doug Robinson and his wife Marilyn; and his life-long friend Charlie Bellamy.

The funeral service for Mr. Gaddis will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory, where visitation will be from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. Friday and after 10:00 a.m. Saturday. Burial will be in Rosehill Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy make take the form of contributions to the Goodfellows Club.