Kenneth Mathis
Mr. Kenneth Mathis, age 84, of Hickman County, Ky., passed away on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at his residence.
Mr. Mathis was born on April 14, 1941, in Phillippy in Lake County to the late Bruce Mathis and Marrean Henderson Mathis. Mr. Mathis was a Christian and attended the Water Valley Baptist Church. He lived his life to honor God, his country and his family. He was a member of the Woodman Life Chapter 115 and served as President. Mr. Kenneth was a Mason and a member of the American Legion.
Mr. Mathis worked as a pipefitter and electrician for the former Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in Union City. He had two Army Surplus stores in Fulton and Clinton, Ky., and owned a liquor store in Hickman, Ky. In his later years, he was a self-employed electrician. Mr. Mathis proudly served his country by joining the United States Army when he was 17 years old. He served with the 101st Airborne out of Ft. Campbell, Ky. He was one of the great veterans who served during the Vietnam conflict.
Ken never met a stranger, and he, along with some of his friends, started the ROMEO Club (Real Old Men Eating Out). These men would travel once a week to towns close by and have lunch. He was also part of a group of men that would gather every morning at McDonald’s to discuss the latest news and solve the world’s problems. He loved being a paratrooper, fishing, gardening and going to flea markets.
Mr. Kenneth Mathis is survived by his wife, Mrs. Glenda Mathis, to whom he was married on Oct. 28, 1990. One daughter, Karla (Ralph Wayne) Adams of Cayce, Ky.; two sons, Kenny (Tina) Mathis of Hickman, and Stanley (Becky) Hudson of Clinton; six grandchildren, Starr (Nicky) Dunn of Union City, Wade (Kady) Adams of Cayce, Randy (Adysen) Adams of Cayce, Justin (Kayla) Mathis of Hickman, Chris (Ashley) Hudson, Obion and Dylan Hudson of Clinton; 12 great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild; one brother, Billy (Cindy) Mathis of Hopkinsville, Ky.; and four sisters, Flossie Cole of Cadiz, Ky., Marine McKenzie of Leesburg, Fla., Emmer Jean Bell of Springfield, Ill., and Sue Hinton of Tulsa Okla.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, James Mathis and Jessie Mathis; and two sisters, Gerlene Henderson and Earlene Roberds.
Funeral services for Mr. Kenneth Mathis will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 28, 2025, at Hornbeak Funeral Chapel in Fulton. Bro. Bobby Barnett will officiate, and burial will follow in the Obion County Memorial Gardens. Visitation for Mr. Kenneth Mathis will be held at the funeral chapel on Sunday, July 27, from 4-7 p.m.
Memorials can be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38015.
The Messenger 7.25.25