Lewis Kenneth Ledbetter

Lewis Kenneth "Kenny" Ledbetter

January 8, 1939 - March 6, 2026

Lewis Kenneth "Kenny" Ledbetter, age 87, passed away on March 6, 2026, in Khon Kaen, Thailand. He was born January 8, 1939, in Donna, Texas.

Kenny grew up in Lynn County, Texas, where he was raised in a cotton farming family. At 17 years old, he joined the United States Navy and began a lifetime marked by hard work, adventure, and independence. He worked as a logger and even founded a rodeo in Oregon before returning to Lynn County to become a lineman. His work as a lineman took him to on the road, and eventually to San Diego, California.

An avid sports fisherman, Kenny transformed his passion into a career when he became a commercial albacore fisherman in 1977. From Brownsville, Texas, through the Panama Canal, up the West Coast to Canada and Alaska, over to Midway Island, down to Hawaii, Fiji, Tonga, Tahiti, New Zealand to Ecuador, and many islands in between, Kenny spent decades fishing, exploring, and embracing life.

In 1995, Kenny moved to Thailand where he later married Pleunaree Vanich, and together they made Nongkhai their home. Kenny soon retired and took up golf, while Pleunaree continued her career as a schoolteacher, sparking good natured humor within their expat community of friends. Their life together brought Kenny great joy and he was ever grateful to Pleunaree for her companionship, patience and care.

One of his greatest joys in life was his family. He especially cherished time spent with his daughter and grandchildren, whether visiting them in the United States or welcoming them to Thailand. Those shared adventures, visits and deep conversations brought him immense pride and happiness.

He is survived by his wife, Pleunaree Vanich of Tabo, Thailand; daughter, Kena Galvan of Weatherford, Texas; granddaughter Kalia (Cody) Dieson of San Diego, California; grandson Cody Galvan of San Diego, California; great-granddaughter Josephine Dieson of San Diego, California; sister Mary Nell Wylie of Lubbock, Texas; brothers-in-law Thaweesak, Chatmongkhon, and Manoon Vanich of Tabo, Thailand; nieces Donna (Craig) Morris of Benbrook, Texas, Teresa (Ricky) Gandy of O'Donnell, Texas, Linda Henry of Lubbock, Texas, Debbi (Paul) Hollabaugh of Destin, Florida, Laura Brown of Trophy Club, Texas, and Amy (Mike) Ledbetter of Odessa; nephew Rod (Sheila) Ledbetter of Carlsbad, New Mexico, Scott (Liza) Wylie of Meadow, Texas; and many cousins, great nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Audy "W.A." Ledbetter and Mary (Hays) Ledbetter; his brothers William "Biliy" Ledbetter and wife Billie Frances Ledbetter, and Hulen Sidney Ledbetter and wife Billie "Tootie" Ledbetter; his sister Ima Jody Ledbetter; and sister-in-law Sangmanee Tawong of Tabo, Thailand.

Kenny will be remembered for his love of family and friends, adventurous spirit, strong work ethic, and the many stories told from a life well lived.