Kennard "Ken" Lenox

Kennard “Ken” Robert Lenox, son of Hamilton Wilson and Katharyn Conrath Lenox, was born April 24, 1943 in Lake Spring, Missouri, and passed away on Monday, October 9, 2023 at the Missouri Veterans Home in St. James, Missouri at the age of 80. Ken was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, William Hamilton Brooks; brother, Hamilton Taylor Lenox; and brothers-in-law, Jack Parscale, and George Craddock. He is survived by his wife Joyce Loraine (Parscale) Lenox, of the home; children, Angela Lenox Mallery and husband Mike, of Rolla, Missouri, Paige Lenox George and husband Michael, of St. Charles, Missouri, Hamilton Jay Lenox and wife Angelica, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Karrie Lenox Brooks, and husband Seth, of Athens, Alabama; grandchildren, Jessica Joyce Mallery, Kathleen “Kate” Mary Mallery, Savannah Marie Mallery, Robert “Bo” Lester Brooks, and Katherine “Kat” Elise Brooks; sisters, Kristine Craddock, of Mexico, Missouri, and Jennie Lynn Widener, of St. James, Missouri; special cousin, Hamilton Kennedy, of Omaha, Nebraska; honorary grandchildren, Adam-Kai White, of St. Charles, Missouri, and Anh “Allie” White, of Chicago, Illinois; and a host of extended family and friends. Born into a ranching family, Ken grew up on Lenox Farms in Lake Spring, Missouri. Ken graduated from Rolla High School class of 1961. In September of that year he left the ranch and headed for Santa Ana, California to begin his military service in the United States Marine Corps at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, receiving his training in radio and telegraphy. Ken served in Cuba for the entire Cuban Missile Crisis and following that also served in Vietnam and received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. He returned home to the farm in August of 1965 and settled into ranch life once again. A fifth-generation farmer, he had learned his love of the land and how to work the farm from his father and grandfather. On December 9,1967, Ken married the love of his life, Miss Joyce Loraine Parscale. Their union was blessed with four children. Ken continued to farm for the remainder of his life, raising cattle, hogs, hay, and even operating charcoal kilns on his land for a time. He was a great ambassador for the beef industry, serving as a longtime member of the Cattlemen’s Association and the Beef Industry Council, speaking for a few years as a regular on the NPR Marketplace series, and even starring in two documentaries. Ken was very active within his local community. He was elected and served as County Commissioner for Phelps County for 18 years. He was also a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, a Lions Club member for over 57 years, served on the Phelps County Bank Board for 30 years, was a board member of the Soil and Water Conservation Commission for 30 years, and was a 4-H project leader for 15 years. Ken enjoyed reading, hunting, collecting Native American artifacts, playing golf, and riding horses. He also loved watching old westerns on television, notably, the Last of the Mohicans, and sipping on peach cider. Most of all, Ken was a family man; he loved large family gatherings, especially the Lenox Thanksgiving. Later in his life, he found joy in talking drives, walks, and horseback rides around the farm, particularly with his children and grandchildren. Ken was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and mentor to many as a steward of the land. His family and friends will have many fun and touching memories to look back upon and his legacy will live forever through them and Lenox Farms. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 2:00 PM at the St. Patrick's Church in Rolla. Interment will be in the Lake Spring Cemetery. A visitation for family and friends will be on Friday, October 13, 2023 at the Rolla Chapel of the James & Gahr Mortuary from 5-7PM. Memorials are suggested to the Lake Spring Cemetery Association, cards are available at all James & Gahr locations.

Kennard "Ken" Lenox

April 24, 1943 - October 9, 2023

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Kennard "Ken" Lenox

April 24, 1943 - October 9, 2023

Obituary Notification

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information