Kenneth Grabber

Kenneth Mikel Grabber, beloved son, brother, and friend, passed away in Amarillo, Texas on January 29th, 2025. He was 43 years old. 

Kenny was born on August 1, 1981, in Liberal, Kansas, to Janet Evelyn and Mikel Duane Grabber. He grew up in Canyon, Texas, and graduated from Canyon High School in 1999, where he played trombone in the school band.

A gifted and very intelligent individual, Kenny earned an associate's degree in sound technology from South Plains College. His talent and passion as a DJ brought him joy, and he used his skills to bring music and energy to every show he played. While he lived in many places across the United States, Amarillo and Canyon, Texas, always remained home. He formed deep and lasting connections with a wide circle of friends who became like family to him.

Kenny was incredibly intelligent and had the uncommon ability to connect with people, regardless of their differences. He was fiercely loyal and loved his friends and family with a rare intensity. His kindness, unique humor, and ability to make others feel at ease will be deeply missed.

Kenny was preceded in death by his mother, Janet Evelyn Sells (Schlueter); his grandmother, Mary Louise Schlueter; his grandfather, Bernard Henry Grabber; his grandparents, LJ and Lola Maxine Sells; and his childhood best friend, Ramsey Tainton.

He is survived by his father, Mikel Grabber and his bonus mom, Kerri, of Amarillo; his sister, Kristin Johnson and husband Derek of Lubbock; his brother, Christopher Grabber and wife Tory of Amarillo; his stepfather, Kent Sells of Amarillo; his bonus siblings, Richard Spears of Amarillo, and Natalie Wilson and Erica Shelton of Borger; his grandmother Marcie Grabber, aunts Doris Collins and Brenda Grabber of Canyon; aunt Edith Altom and uncle Kenneth Schlueter of the St. Louis, MO area; and 15 nieces and nephews. He is also survived by countless friends who were like family to him.

A special thanks to the CCU staff at BSA and the Lifegift team for their attentive care of Kenny and his family. Your kindness and compassion were felt by all near to him. 

Kenny’s memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. Generous until the very end, Kenny’s choice to be a donor allowed him to donate his skin, tissue, and organs to research. In lieu of flowers, please consider signing up for donation at www.donatelifetexas.org. 

His generous spirit, loyalty, and deep love for those around him will never be forgotten.