Kenneth Ray Blough Jr., 85, died Thursday May 20, 2021, at Parklane
Nursing home in Scott City, Kansas. He was born June 7, 1935, in Somerset
County, Pennsylvania, the son of Kenneth Ray Sr. and Neva Dorothy
(Rose) Blough. On June 12, 1959, Emily Lucille Stutzman, the pretty girl
he had whistled at outside Ripple’s Ice Cream became his wife, a union
of 61 years.
Ray grew up in the mountains of Pennsylvania where he started his career
as a truck driver. His first job being the driver of a 1955 97
horsepower White 9000 pulling a 30 foot flatbed loaded down with silica
firebrick for the steel mills; back when the push trucks with glowing
red smokestacks were a persons only way up the mountainside. Ray had a
strong work ethic, while working harvest he drove a cab-less gleaner
combine with a 16 ft. draper head and his boss at the time kindly gave
him a net to wear over his head with a fistful of cigars to keep the
mosquitoes away. When the steel mills went on strike Ray just couldn’t
stand the thought of sitting around, so he came to Kansas knowing he
could find work, and a hard worker he was. Ray and Lucy settled in
Shallow Water and after working for different farmers in the area he ran
the Collingwood Grain, Inc. He then went to run the fleet of trucks out
of the old Centry 21 refinery between Scott City and Garden City.These
were also the days when the old stationary oil Derrick's of the Nun Oil
Pool filled the sky's.When he needed more trucks to haul crude oil, this
is when he met Gene Hibbs of GroendykeTransportation and became very
good friends. In the early 80’s he and Lucy moved to Leoti, where they
owned and operated Jack’s Restaurant. The two of them made quite the
pair and became a highly sought after Trucking Duo. In Ray’s time as a
driver with Groendyke he received an award for over one million miles
safe driving and more so in his time with National Carriers not only did
he receive an award for over three million miles safe driving he and
Lucy were a Priority Team, often times dropping their own load to dead
head across the US to finish a job for someone else and meet a scheduled
deadline.
Ray was a prayer warrior for and with his friends from Full Gospel Men's
Fellowship, Prairie View Church at Friend, Ks and here in Leoti,
Transports for Christ international and sometimes in the middle of the
night. He had hosts of friends. He was true patriot and loved America
having served in both the Army and National Guard. He was a friend to
all and lived by the Ten Commandments maybe even adding in one or two of
his own. He enjoyed music and would just sit and listen as Lucy played
the organ in the back room. He loved his community and wanted to make
sure the kids always had a safe place to be kids and have fun. Ray
served not only as President but also is one of the 9 founders of the
Wichita County Amusement Association that still to this day affords kids
that opportunity.
Ray is survived by his Wife- Lucy of the home; Children- Renee Louise
(Rick) Gilmore of Leoti, Wilfred Wayne (Jennie Van Dyke) Blough of
Nacogdoches, Texas, and Clifford Ray Blough of Leoti; Grandchildren-
Benjamin (Kayln Roberts) Blough of San Antonio, Texas, Katherine Blough
of Nacogdoches, Texas, and Jeff Gilmore of Terry, Mississippi; Brother-
William Charles (Lois Kuchera) Blough of Yucca Valley, California;
Sister-in-Law- Maria Blough of Gallop, New Mexico; Nieces and Nephews-
Polly Blough of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Jenna Blough (Ryan Jones) of
Los Angeles, California, Marcy (Kip) Dawkins of Richmond, Virginia; as
well as three great nieces and nephews.
Ray was preceded in death by his Parents, Brother- Alvin Blough, and Nephew- J.J. Blough.
Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am Friday May 28, 2021 at the
Christ Covenant Church in Leoti, Kansas with Jeff Crist officiating.
Following the funeral service dinner will be served from the ladies of
the church all are welcome to stay.
Memorial contributions are suggested
to the Wichita County Amusement Association in care of Garnand Funeral
Home. Condolences may be posted by visiting www.garnandfuneralhomes.com