James Balentine

Friday, October 31, 2014

Kenneth was my mother’s brother. We lived in Idaho, but Mom always made a point of taking us back to Arkansas once a year or so to visit her folks there. I have lots of good memories of Kenneth from those visits. He had a quiet sense of humor and knew how to tell a funny story. His funny stories weren’t made up, either; they were about his friends, neighbors and family. He also appreciated a good joke, now and then. He was a kind and considerate man, but with a strong character and a taste for hard work. He built a hard scrabble farm into a first-class cattle breeding operation, raising registered Limousin and Simmental breeding stock.

During my visits to Arkansas, I enjoyed spending time with Kenneth. This mostly involved following him around the farm, “helping” where I could. I helped him grind the corn that he grew himself to feed the cattle in winter. I helped him harvest the corn from the corn field in the late fall. This was a hand operation. A tractor would pull a wagon through the corn field, and his helpers would pull the cobs off the stalks and throw them into the wagon. I helped him move the cattle from one pasture to another. I went to the feed store with him. I remember his old turquoise and white Ford pickup well. He seemed to have had that pickup for most of my childhood. He’d load it up with sacks of oats and other things he needed. Then he’d drive it 65 miles per hour around those curves in the rain to get us home before the grain got wet.

Kenneth was a humble man, but he esteemed excellence. His cattle operation always remained small enough that he could do most of the work himself. He knew each of his herd by name. But he was a scientific rancher who bred his cattle from the best stock according to scientific principles. It rather shocked me that this shabbily dressed, slow-talking, self-effacing, single-handed rancher would be so knowledgeable about the principles of scientific cattle breeding. His breeding stock was prized all over the United States and around the world.

He was born and bred in Van Buren County. He died just a few miles from where he was born. Except for a tour of duty in the Navy during World War II, he lived all of his life in Van Buren County. He was well known, liked and respected by his neighbors. He learned to doctor cattle by experience, and was frequently called upon by his neighbors and fellow farmers to care for sick livestock or to help deliver calves.

He was married to the same woman for 67 years. He had two sons. The surviving son helped him through his final few weeks of life after the first stroke. By my lights, Kenneth had a full and rewarding life, blessed beyond the measure allotted to most mortal men. May God bless him and keep him always. I will miss him.

Dan and Peggy Eoff

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

We enjoyed knowing Kenneth all the years we had our feed store. Kenneth always had a smile and something nice to say. He was a good man.

Gene Jenkins

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

We are saddened by the loss of our beloved uncle. We remember the times we visited Uncle Kenneth and family during our growing up and later in life when Linda and I visited with our children Mark, Jason, and Gina. Uncle Kenneth was always available and fun to be with. The memories continue to flow and we miss him already.
We're praying for the family. The Plant community has lost a wonderful man. Thank you Uncle Kenneth for your service to your country.
Your family in Walla Walla, Wa.
Gene, Linda, Mark, Jason and Gina. Also nephews Larry and Keith Jenkins

Jeff Kimball Family

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

There are not enough words to express what a kind, gentle, honest, good hearted man that my uncle Kenneth was to me and all that knew him! Our physical loss is great but the memories and values that he has left us is just as great!
Uncle Kenneth always had kind words for all he knew and a barn filled with jokes he could tell!
One of many fond memories I have is when is was about 10 years old Uncle Kenneth was planting corn with a big white work horse he had borrowed from a neighbor. My brother EdLee and I begged and pleaded with him to let us ride on this big horse! Uncle Kenneth said with that gleam in his eye " you boy's meet me in the corn field at 5:00 and I will let you ride him back to the barn"! We were overcome with excitement and could not hardly wait for 5:00 to come. Finally it was time and we ran to meet him at the corn field. It was a hot Arkansas day and like all other summer days all we were wearing was a pair of cutoff pants. When we got there Kenneth was ready for us I was first as I was smallest and he chuckled as he tossed us up on the back of that big huge workhorse! My happiness soon turned to "what is that smell and what is all this white foam stuff all over wear we were sitting"! Kenneth was laughing so hard he could hardly stand up! EdLee and myself had no idea what a workhorse smelled like after working in the hot sun all day! We never asked to ride that horse again and that was but one of many good times we had with Uncle Kenneth as he took us to "The Rock Hole" as he did many time to cool off!
Words cannot express how much I love you Uncle Kenneth. I will think of you everyday and look forward to seeing you again when my number is called!
Your Nephew "Jeffers"

Cynthia Pace

Monday, October 27, 2014

You are sorely missed my treasured friend. Thanks for the many joys you brought to my life. Much love and respect.

Leon Wilson

Monday, October 27, 2014

We are thinking of the entire family and want to convey our sorrow. Kenneth was an extraordinary man. He never said an unkind word about anyone. He treated his neighbors as family.
We can't tell you how many times he came when we asked him to help us with our cattle. He was amazing in his knowledge of animals and farming. My how we will miss his friendship.
We will miss his slow grin and the twinkle in his eye. We loved him, just as so many in our Plant community did.

Martha foster haines

Monday, October 27, 2014

Wayne and I are so sad to hear about Kenneth. We are having good memories . we will be there for the services on Wednesday. Our prayers are with you.

Wayne and Martha haines