Kenneth Earl ‘Ken’ Kellum

Kenneth Earl 

‘Ken’ Kellum

 Kenneth Earl “Ken” Kellum, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and dear friend, was born on Dec. 16, 1937, in Friendswood, Texas, the second of six sons born to E. Wayne and Margaret Dillon Kellum.

 Due to his father’s health, the family moved from Texas to Idaho in 1946, where Ken attended grades three through five. The family then returned to the place they loved, Friendswood, Texas, where he graduated from Friendswood High School in 1956. 

 Ken grew up in a funloving family of boys who were always playing some kind of ball game. He was an outstanding athlete, and was involved in many activities throughout high school.

 Ken graduated from Friends University in Wichita, Kan., in 1961, where he remained very active in music and sports. He sang and traveled with the award winning Singing Quaker choir, and was a leading member of the football team, playing tight end. In his senior year, he received an invitation from the Baltimore Colts football organization to try out for the team; however, he heard another call from the Lord. 

 Due to an incident while playing football at the University, his plans to become a mechanical engineer were changed. He switched majors to physical education/science and began his lifetime journey as a coach, teacher and administrator.

 Ken married the love of his life, LouAnne Stanfield, on Jan. 23, 1959. They met at church

camp in 1958, and it was love at first sight! They were engaged three weeks later. 

 They welcomed their son, Steven Kirk, in December 1959. The couple moved to Greenleaf, Idaho, in 1961 where Ken was hired as a teacher and coach by Greenleaf Friends Academy. They welcomed their daughter, Kimberly, in July of 1962.

 After spending four years in Greenleaf, Ken took a new position as a teacher and coach in Homedale, Idaho, for seven years, followed by four years as a teacher and coach in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and finally on to Weiser, Idaho in 1976 as a teacher, coach, vice-principal and then principal, retiring in 1996. 

 Ken received numerous awards during his coaching years. He was an extremely dedicated mentor and coach who made a big difference in the lives of many young men. He would be known as “Coach” for the rest of his life. 

 After retirement, he continued to teach Driver’s Education for a number of years, drove a fire bus in the summers, and was an avid golfer.

 Ken was an integral part of the Weiser Nazarene Church family for 48 years, serving the Lord in many areas. He was Head Steward on the Church Board, Sunday School teacher, men’s Bible study leader, and member of the music ministry team, among others. 

 One of the highlights of his life was seeing the new church building, which he played a major role in implementing, come to fruition in 2012. 

 He and LouAnne were very involved in Lay Witness Ministry for several years. His love for Jesus was quite evident in his life.

 Ken and LouAnne were blessed by the Lord with sixty-five plus years of a truly loving marriage.

 They enjoyed many years traveling all over the country together in their 5th-wheel. They also made many wonderful memories with family and friends, camping and fishing in the Pacific Northwest. Ken especially enjoyed all of the time spent in the outdoors with their kids and grandkids. He was the best Papa, Grandpa and Super Papa ever!

 After a short illness, Ken went to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on Dec. 19, 2024. He was the rock of our earthly family, and we will always feel his absence profoundly. 

 He is survived by his wife of sixty-five plus years, LouAnne; son Steven Kirk Kellum; daughter Kimberly and son-in-law Torrey Nash; 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; brothers Daryl (Kim) Kellum, Dick (Joanna) Kellum, and sister-in-law Kendall (Keith) Kellum.

 Ken was preceded in death by his parents E. Wayne and Margaret Kellum; brothers, Keith, Larry and Gary Kellum; grandson T J Nash, and great-grandson Donali Alzugaray.

 A Celebration of Life Service will be held on April 12, 2025 at 2 p.m. at the Weiser High School Auditorium, Weiser, Idaho.

 Please share your memories of Ken with his family at https://www.afterall.com/obituaries/d-18912363/weiser-idaho/kenneth-earl....

 Memorials can be sent in Ken’s name to the Weiser Church of the Nazarene, 510 E. Indianhead Road, Weiser, ID 83672.

 Thomason Funeral Home (208-414-1234) of Weiser, Idaho is in care of arrangements.