Kenneth Townsend Potts

Kenneth Townsend Potts
of Vestal
Kenneth Townsend Potts, 91, of Vestal, went to be with the Lord from Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Sunday, December 2, 2007. He was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Louise Martin Potts; parents, Clair M. and Agnes T. Potts; and nephews, Bill VanDervort and Keith Martin. He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Robert Sinicki, Endwell; one granddaughter, Jessica Deckard, New Orleans, La.; three stepgrandchildren, Mary Kay and Brian Holthus, Laurie and Ed Burgess, all of Las Vegas, Nev., and Michael and Lori Sinicki, Endwell; seven great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Shirley and William VanDervort, Vestal, Hugh and Vail Martin, Ft. Pierce, Fla., Glenn and Freida Martin, Friendsville, Pa., and Richard and Rose Martin, Raleigh, N.C.; several nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. He was an active member of the Vestal United Methodist Church where he served in several capacities over the years, a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and member of the Vestal Senior Citizens. Ken graduated from Houghton College in 1939 where he majored in history and chemistry. He retired from IBM where he worked for 35 years. Ken had many interests and hobbies that he pursued throughout his life. He was an avid outdoorsman and sportsman who loved hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, boating, bird watching, and winter sports. A lover of history, Ken specialized in the Civil War, World War II, local history, and American stamps. He enjoyed carpentry, woodworking, baseball, collecting, reading, traveling, and gardening with his wife; always willing to try something new, Ken took up oil painting at 72 where he could paint the scenes of nature that he loved so much. Ken gave generously of his time to his church, neighbors, and friends and was devoted to his family. He was a selfless caregiver for his wife, Louise, during the last years of her life. A kind, utterly dependable man of integrity, he lived by example. His family thanks God for Ken's life which was indeed a blessing.
Funeral Services will be held Thursday, 10 a.m. from Vestal United Methodist Church, 328 Main Street, Vestal with the Reverend Michael Willis, Pastor of his church, officiating. Burial will be in Vestal Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 East Main Street, Endicott, Wednesday from 4-7 pm. Expressions of sympathy in Ken's memory may be made to Houghton College, 1 Willard Avenue, Houghton, N.Y. 14744.