Kenneth Albert Schwarz
A celebration in honor of Kenneth Albert Schwarz, 66, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 4th at Lawrence Free Methodist Church in Lawrence, Kansas. Burial will follow at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Lawrence, Kansas. Ken’s family will greet guests on Tuesday, April 3rd from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home at a closed-casket visitation.
Ken joined his grandson, Ryan James Walker, in heaven on Saturday, March 31st, after a brief battle with cancer, at his home surrounded in love by his family.
Ken will always be remembered for his sweet spirit, fierce love of family, hard work ethic, and the friendly wave he had for anyone who honked as they drove by the old green pickup parked by one of the many customers he serviced with his business, K&K Lawn Service.
Ken was born on December 1, 1945 to Albert & Neva Freeland Schwarz in Lawrence, Kansas. Ken grew up in Baldwin City, Kansas. He married Karron June Schwarz on February 17, 1979. She survives of the home. He is also survived by a daughter, Colleen Walker, and husband, Ted of Lawrence; son, Ron Ferguson of Hutchinson, Kansas and Dawn Ferguson of Haven, Kansas. Kenneth is also survived by his beloved grandchildren, Sarah McIntosh and husband Randy of Smithville, MO; T.J. Walker of Eureka, California; Brittany Welch of Newton, Kansas; Andrew Welch of Mount Hope, Kansas; and great-grandson, Gavin Ryan McIntosh. He is survived by brothers, Dale Schwarz and wife, Phylis of Baldwin City, Kansas; Robert Schwarz and wife Patty of Adams, Wisconsin; and sister, Marian Hesser of Baldwin City, Kansas. He is also survived by nephews, Jonathan Schwarz and wife, Staci, of Lawrence, Kansas; and Daniel Schwarz and wife, Jeanne, of Raymore, Missouri; Allan Reeder of Mesa, Arizona; Tim Schwarz and wife, Joy, of Adams, Wisconsin; David Schwarz and wife, Lynn, of Baraboo, Wisconsin. Ken is preceded in death by his parents and his beloved grandson, Ryan James Walker.
Ken graduated from Baldwin High School in 1963. He served in the Army National Guard from May 1963 until June 1967. He was also involved in the Greater Wichita GTO Club and the GTO Association of America. Ken was employed at Lawrence Paper Company for 34 years. Ken and Karron have owned and operated K&K Lawn Service since 1990. Granddaughter, Sarah, and husband, Randy McIntosh will continue operating the business. Ken was passionate about his business and his clients and set a high standard for customer service.
The family suggests memorials in Ken’s name to the Ryan Walker Jazz Band Memorial in care of the Lawrence Schools Foundations at 110 McDonald Drive, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Online condolences may be sent to www.rumsey-yost.com.