Kenneth Harlen

Kenneth Spencer Harlan, 89 years old, passed away Thursday, December 3, 2015 at his home in Bishop. He was born November 1, 1926, to Joseph Sankie Harlan and Lottie Belle Mayo Harlan. He lived on the family farm in Driscoll until moving to Bishop in 1968 with his wife and children.

Kenneth attended school in Driscoll and Bishop, then completed high school early at Baptist Academy in San Marcos in 1943. Upon graduation, he attended Texas A&M University from 1943-44, studying aeronautical engineering. He enlisted in the US Air Corps Reserve in 1943 and was called to aviation cadet training in 1944. World War II ended while he was still in training. He then enrolled in Texas A&I in Kingsville and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture in 1948.

That same year, he and his brothers took over the operation of the family farms. In 2014, Harlan Farms celebrated their 100th year of farming and the fifth generation of Harlan family farmers. In 1961, Kenneth became the manager of both Driscoll Grain Co-op and Driscoll Co-op Gin. He retired from Co-op management in 1991.

Kenneth held leadership roles in many church, business, and civic organizations throughout his life. He was very involved in the First United Methodist Church in Bishop where he was Chairman of the Board, lay leader, and on the Finance Committee, to name a few throughout the years. His agricultural interests led him to leadership roles in the Texas Federation of Co-ops, the Houston Bank for Co-ops, South Texas Country Elevators Association, and many other advisory roles. He was a member of the Bishop ISD School Board for many years and on the Board of Directors of Kleberg First National Bank. He was a long-time member and former president of the Bishop Chamber of Commerce. In 2007 he was awarded a Lifetime Service Award from the Chamber of Commerce.

Kenneth's passions in life were his family and flying airplanes. He enjoyed passing his aviation interest on to his son and grandson.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Joseph Sankie (Bubba) Harlan, Jr. He was married to Joan Rupp Harlan of Falfurrias, in 1951. After 32 years of marriage, she passed away following a long illness in 1983. He married Iris Janko Harlan in 1987, and illness took her life in 2011 after 24 years of marriage.

He is survived by his children Carol Harlan Rainbolt (Terrell), John Marshall Harlan (Julie), and Mary Katherine (Kay) Harlan (William Adams).

His grandchildren were his pride and joy: John Spencer Rainbolt (Kelly), Amy Rainbolt Boyter (Blake), Garrett Marshall Harlan, John Neal Nacci, and William Harlan Nacci. He was also blessed with a great-granddaughter, Allison Ann Rainbolt and would have welcomed his namesake great-grandson in April 2016.

He is also survived by his brother Jack Harlan (Arnell) and sister Ruth Harlan Boettcher (Clem W.), along with a host of nieces and nephews whom he treasured.

Kenneth was a kind-hearted man who loved his family deeply and held his friends close to his heart. The ethical principles he exhibited in life set a strong example for his family. He was a generous contributor who sought no recognition. He will always be remembered as a generous, accepting, forgiving, God-loving man.

A celebration of his life will be held on Sunday, December 6 at 3:00 PM at First United Methodist Church, Bishop, TX, with burial to follow at Restland Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be his son and grandsons. Honorary pallbearers are lifelong friends Harold Hickman, Kenneth Nelson, Elton Lockwood, Dr. Robert Fordtran and the Coffee Club that he enjoyed so much.

Memorial contributions can be made to Restland Memorial Park, PO Box 142, Bishop, TX 78343 or First United Methodist Church, 804 E. Sixth St., Bishop, TX 78343.

Special thanks to his physician and life-long friend, Dr. Robert Fordtran, and Gloria Suarez, Sue Wooten, Annie Perez, and Edna Gauno.

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