Kenneth H. Thames, age 69, passed on to his heavenly home on April 11, 2011. Ken was born May 10, 1941 in Chippewa Falls to Loretta and Ken Thames. He married Marilyn (Johnson) of Bloomer in 1961.
Ken attended the University of WI - Milwaukee and earned his bachelors and masters degrees in English and speech education. He taught in Milwaukee for five years and then in Eau Claire from 1975 until his retirement in 1993. In Eau Claire, he taught at DeLong Junior High School, Memorial High School, and the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. He coached speech, debate and athletic activities such as track, swimming and basketball, receiving awards for teaching and coaching including the Andrew T. Weaver Award for outstanding leadership and excellence in the field of communication. Ken was actively involved with the National Forensics League for many years at the local, state and national levels, as an organizer and computer programmer. Other interests included golfing, running marathons and triathlons, reading the Bible, playing his guitar, and woodworking. He and his wife were active members of Bethesda Lutheran Church where he led Sunday School classes and Bible studies. Most important, however, was his relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Survivors include his wife; three children: Steve (Jenni) of Wisconsin Rapids, Sarah (Tom) Chambers of Sun Prairie, and Trina Thames of Eau Claire; six grandchildren: Anthony, Rachel, Massaquoi and Jordan Thames; Christian and Evan Chambers; one brother: Gary (Joan) Thames of Arcadia, WI; one sister: Pat (Daryl) Thomas of California. Preceded in death were his parents and two brothers: Rick and Mike.
Memorials will be given to the Fragrant Oil Ministries (outreach to the Leprosy colonies in India); and other Christian Ministries important to Ken.
Services will be at Bethesda Lutheran Brethren Church, 123 W. Hamilton Avenue, Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54701 on Tuesday, April 19th at 11:00 with visitation from 9:00 until the time of service. Pastor Rodney Venberg will officiate. The burial will immediately follow service at Lakeview Cemetery in Eau Claire.
Friends may offer condolences online at www.fullerspeckienhulke.com.
Fuller Speckien Hulke Funeral Home, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire, WI is assisting the family with the arrangements.