Kenneth Charles Smith

1951 - 2025

Kenneth Charles Smith, 73, passed away April 12, 2025.
Ken was born in Pittsburgh to Albert and Josephine Dolores (Penvose) Smith. Ken spent his childhood in Punxsutawney. He graduated from Punxsutawney Area High School in 1969.
After graduation, Ken attended New York school of photography in 1974 and joined the United States Air Force, in which stationed in Texas in his Air Force career. He was in the security police force and subsequently transferred to civil engineering, where he was a bricklayer. After Ken's four-year enlistment, he worked for the USAF civil service in benefits and retirement, and retired after 39 years.
Ken always had a love of sports and never lost his devotion to the Steelers and Pirates. Along with his love of sports, he later coached softball and baseball for his children and grandchildren.
Ken loved the Lord and was a very active church member and leader at the Tabernacle Baptist Church. Over the years, Ken coached church softball, was a junior church leader, youth director and camp counselor. He also served as a greeter, usher and deacon. Ken also sang in the church choir. Along with his love of church music, Ken enjoyed karaoke and older country music. Ken was often called upon to sing the national anthem at retirement ceremonies at Rudolph Air Force Base. He participated and made three rounds on Randolph star search. His deep, beautiful voice is being heard throughout Heaven now.
Ken was diagnosed with Parkinson's +/Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) seven years ago with minimal symptoms until November 2024 and then had a rapid decline. His greatest wish was to have all his children and grandchildren home for Christmas in 2024, and the Lord provided that.
Ken leaves behind his wife, Debby (Folken) Smith; daughter Michele Gaulden (Gregg); son Chaplin Matthew Smith (Rebecca); daughter Monique Semersky (TJ); grandchildren Alyssa, Tyler, Gabriel and Ashton Gaulden, Brianna, Demi and Carolina Smith, Aedan, Caydence, Bentley, Kayden and Harper Semersky; and sisters Doris Luce (Terry) from Home Naomi Kallas (Jim) from Punxsutawney, and Pam Wachob (Kevin) from Big Run.
Ken was precded in death by a stillborn son, Marc; his mother and stepfather, Josephine Dolores and Ray Peace; and father and stepmother Albert and Grace Smith.
Visitation will be at Colonial Funeral Home from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, and funeral service is at True Life Church from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in Universal City, Texas. Burial will be at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas.