Obituary of Kenneth L. Derreberry

Kenneth L. Derreberry, born February 22, 1920 in Murphy, N.C. passed away July 22, 2009. Ken spent most of his life in the Akron area in the sheet metal business as a tradesman and as owner/contractor. He was preceded in death by his mother, Delphia; father, McClain; older sister, Blanche Boothe (Hayward); and younger brothers, Jim and Mack. He is survived by wife of 65 years, (Toody); twin sons, Danny (Jean) and Lanny (Brenda); and grandson, Brian (Margie). Ken graduated from Ellet High School, class of 1939. He was former president of Carlson Mfg., Inc. and co-founder and president of Summit Sheet Metal Co. of Barberton, Oh. He remained active, representing the Sheet Metal Contractor's Association during his forty plus years in the industry, serving as the Association Representative on many boards including Tri-County Health & Welfare, Builders Exchange, Sheet Metal Workers Pension Plan and E.E.O. Comm., in addition to many years as principal labor contract negotiator. He was a life member of Airport V.F.W. Post 0975 and Turkeyfoot Sportsman Club. He was also a member in good standing of the Army-Navy Club, Mogadore Moose, Manchester Eagles and American Legion Post 0255. He was a fifty-year member of Joppa-Adinarom Masonic Lodge, and a paid-up member of Yusef Khan Grotto, Tadmor Temple, and Akron Court 80 R.O.J. and the affiliated Kachina Billiken Klub. He was past director and Parade Marshal of Tadmor Motorcycle Parade Unit. He was a WWII veteran, enlisting in the Army Air Corps in 1940, serving with the Sixth Air Force, headquartered in the Panama Canal Zone. He served a volunteer tour of duty on the Galapagos Islands located about 600 miles off the west coast of Equador. As part of his Aviation Cadet training, he completed a course of study at Birmingham Southern College in Birmingham, Al. He was honorably discharged on points in 1945 from Amarillo, A.A.F. Base in Amarillo, Tx., while training as a B-29 flight engineer. The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation to Mulberry Gardens Assisted Living and all the nurses, aides and staff for the excellent and loving care given to and the kindness shown to Ken and the family. The family also wishes to extend a heartfelt thanks to Odyssey Healthcare Hospice nurses and staff for the exceptional treatment and compassion shown to Ken and the whole family. Calling hours will be Friday, 3 to 8 p.m. at the Anthony Funeral Home Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Chapel, 1990 S. Main St. in Akron (PLEASE NOTE NEW ADDRESS) where a Masonic service will be held at 7 p.m. Cremation to follow. Interment of ashes will be held Monday at 9:30 a.m. at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman, Oh. Rev. Brian Nutt officiating. If so desired, donations may be made to Odyssey Healthcare, 6140 Parkland Blvd., Suite 105, Mayfield Hts., OH 44124. (Anthony Funeral Home Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Chapel, 330-724-1281, www.anthonyfh.com)