Kenton Chickering III

Kenton "Ken" Chickering III, devoted husband, father, mentor, and dear friend to so many, passed away unexpectedly but peacefully on June 18, 2024, with his family by his side.

Born in Dallas, Texas, on February 7, 1935, Ken grew up with a love for adventure. After graduating from Highland Park High School, he attended the University of Oklahoma, graduating in 1957 with a degree in Petroleum Engineering, a pilot's license, and a passion for flying. During his time at OU, he was active in the ROTC program and a proud member of the Kappa Alpha Order fraternity, serving as president in 1956.

Ken combined his engineering and flying skills during a stint serving as a petroleum officer with the US Air Force. His career after the Air Force took him all over the country and the world. One of his first stops was Mississippi, where he worked as a petroleum engineer for Humble Oil. It was there that he was set up on a blind date with Jackson native Nancy Reed. Though he had two left feet, she fell in love with his sense of humor. In 1962, the two married and set off for Houston, where they started a family, and he began a long and successful career as a sales engineer.

His professional journey was marked by dedication, innovation, and leadership, with significant contributions to the valve industry. He rose through the ranks at General Valve, playing a key role in the company's growth. In 1976, he landed at Daniel Industries. Ken would tell you that his favorite years were serving as president of Daniel Valve from 1988 to 2003. He cherished the relationships he built with both his fellow employees and his customers. An active member of the Valve Manufacturers Association, he served as Chairman in 1998 and was honored as "Man of the Year."

A true jack-of-all-trades with a knack for turning every hobby into an adventurous undertaking, Ken juggled numerous side gigs over the years, including building treadmills and buying and selling airplanes with his brother Scott. He never met a stranger and served as the unofficial welcome committee chairman for anyone who crossed his path. Known for his pranks, he was often seen at parties in disguise or decorating lawns with his unique sense of humor.

An avid tinkerer, Ken loved a project, and if he didn't see one, he'd find one. It was a running joke among family and friends that everything from cars to household appliances could be fixed with duct tape and Oklahoma engineering. His favorite place to tinker was at Rockmere, PA, where he spent countless hours working on the dock, fishing, cruising on the pontoon boat, or catching a sunset on the Allegheny River.

Ken was a lifelong Episcopalian, serving on the vestry at several churches and most recently as an usher at St. Martin's Episcopal Church. He was also involved with the church's prison ministry and volunteer program at Yellowstone Academy in Houston.

Whether on the golf course or in the garage, Ken cherished his time with friends and family. He was part of a close-knit golf group at Lakeside Country Club and enjoyed gatherings with his lunch bunch, where his stories and laughter were always a highlight.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Nancy, and his daughter-in-law, Kristi Chickering. He is survived by his children, Helen Chickering-Nicholls (John), Chick Chickering, and Julie Chickering Albert; his brother, Scott Chickering; his grandchildren, Cameron, Isabella, Sophie, Henry, and Nash; and many other beloved family members and friends.

A celebration of his life will be held on Wednesday, June 26, at 2 p.m. at St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston. The church's floral arrangements are in place, and the family suggests considering a memorial contribution to the Outreach Program at St. Martin's or to the Oil City Boat Club, PO Box 218, Oil City, PA 16301.