Kenneth Ray Cline

1942 - 2016

Kenneth Ray Cline

Kenneth Ray Cline, 74, died at home on Tuesday, June 21, 2016. Born on February 4, 1942, to Jesse James Cline and Beatrice Evans Cline, Kenneth grew up near Georgetown, Louisiana, graduating from Georgetown High School in 1960. It was in first grade at Georgetown that he met Janette Maxwell. Later when they became high school sweethearts, Kenneth picked up Janette for school in his father's log truck. Kenneth and Janette were married in 1959 and remained married for 57 years until his death - a lifelong love and commitment that will be joined again in Heaven.

Kenneth was a logger from high school until his retirement. He worked first for his father's logging company, and later by himself and also in partnership with his brother Rod. Kenneth also drove a school bus to Georgetown High School for over 10 years.

Modeling Christian behavior was very important to Kenneth and Janette as they raised their three children. Kenneth had grown up attending Lincecum Baptist Church south of Georgetown, and after marriage, this church became a second home for their family. During his time at Lincecum, Kenneth served in most leadership roles, including deacon, Sunday School teacher, Sunday School director, on pastor search committees and (one of his favorite) Vacation Bible School teacher. Deacons are to be servants, and Kenneth took this role to heart. He had both the ability to see needs around him and to help fill those needs, whether it was for a neighbor, an elderly couple or widow in his church, or a stranger.

In 1989, for work opportunities, Kenneth and Janette moved to Baker, Louisiana. While leaving their childhood hometown was difficult, the move introduced them to a new community of friends, neighbors and fellow Christians at First Baptist Church, Baker. Their new family at First Baptist Baker welcomed them in and the church quickly became home to them. Kenneth especially enjoyed Epperson's Assisted-Living Sunday School class for the Bible study, fellowship and stories often told and rarely remembered.

Throughout their life, and wherever they lived, family and friends were very important to Kenneth and Janette. They loved spending time with family, and especially enjoyed anytime they could spend with their grandchildren - Sandra, Lauren, Kyle, Kenneth, Andrew, Abby, Max and Mickey, and their great-grandchildren - LayLah, Cutler, London and Mason - all of whom made Papa very proud.

Kenneth grew up outdoors, and he loved fishing and hunting. Over his lifetime, he and his cousin and lifelong best friend, W.L. "Dubber" Beavers spent much time fishing and hunting and planning for their trips together - Kenneth considered this special friendship with Dubber one of the greatest gifts ever given to him. Few things made Kenneth happier than going to the fishing/hunting camp at Shaw, Louisiana, and he, Dubber and his cousins and friends caught more fish than even they could lie about (although they tried).

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents and by his granddaughter Lindsay Graff. He is survived by his lifelong love and wife of 57 years, Janette; his children: Belinda Cline Graff and husband Wayne, of Carencro, Louisiana; Wade Cline and wife Lainie, of Houston, Texas; and Karen Cline Decell and husband Louis of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; his grandchildren: Sandra Graff Coleman (and husband, Rick), Lauren Graff Delaney (and husband, Matthew) and Kyle Graff, Kenneth, Andrew and Abby Cline; Max and Mickey Decell; great-grandchildren: LayLah Graham, Cutler Coleman, and London and Mason Delaney; his brother Rod Cline and wife Sandra, of Georgetown, Louisiana; his sister Anita Ann Cline Willett and husband, Donald Ray, of Searcy, Arkansas; his sisters-in-law, Bertie Maxwell, Maybeth Maxwell, and Phyllis Maxwell May and husband Joe, all of Georgetown, Louisiana; his brother-in-law Terry Maxwell and wife Mary Nell, of Georgetown, Louisiana, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A celebration of Kenneth's life will be held on Friday, June 24, 2016, at First Baptist Church, 3213 Groom Road, Baker, Louisiana. Visitation with the family will be at the church starting at 10 a.m., followed by the memorial service at 12 noon. Honorary pallbearers are the members of Epperson's Assisted-Living Sunday School Class.

The Cline family wishes to thank the staffs of Comfort Keepers of Baton Rouge and Clarity Hospice of Baton Rouge.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts, if desired, be made to Cancer Services of Baton Rouge, 550 Lobdell Avenue, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70806 or the charity of the donor's choice.