Obituary of Kenneth A. Winston

Kenneth Alan Winston, 86, beloved son, husband and father, died Friday, March 9th, after a short illness. Ken left this earth and has joined his Savior, Jesus Chris, in Heaven. Ken was born to Charles Carleton Winston and Chrysa (Kevan) Winston on February 29, 1932, in Coffeyville, KS. He was a leap-year baby and always joked he was a quarter his actual age. His family always humored him. Ken graduated from Field Kindley High School in 1950 and Coffeyville Community College in 1952. He attended Kansas University and graduated in January 1955, with a degree in Journalism. His early professional life was spent in newspaper advertising for the Lawrence Journal World, Joplin Globe, and the Tulsa World. Ken's professional interests shifted to religious journalism which led to ten years at the Methodist Publishing House in Nashville, TN. He served as the editor of Classmate, a monthly magazine for senior high United Methodist youth with country-wide circulation. Ken enjoyed being an editor and chose to return to the newspaper industry by becoming co-publisher and editor of five small-town weekly newspapers near Chicago, IL. In 1975, Ken returned to Coffeyville to join the family business, Winston Insurance. He opened his own small business, Coffeyville Insurance Associates in 1990, retiring in 2005 Ken achieved the highest levels of insurance certification, became a respected professional in the field and served the needs of Coffeyville-area companies for 30 years. Ken married Mary Janice Payne of Jackson, MS in June 1967. They raised three children, one son and two daughters, before divorcing in 1992. Ken married Beverly Kingsbury of Bartlesville, OK in 1994. They resided in Coffeyville. Beverly has three grown daughters. Ken and Beverly were active members of the St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Following his father's example, civic involvement was a way of life for Ken. Through the years, he held leadership positions as part of the Historical Society, Hospital Foundation, American Red Cross, Montgomery County Action Council, and the Episcopal church vestry. Stewardship was Ken's passion and he helped raise funds for several worthy causes. More recently, Ken worked as a part-time staff member at Bridges Community Care, was an active member of the Rotary Club and Friends of the Mansion and served as a Chamber of Commerce Ambassador. His civic commitment continued to the end, as he organized the P.I.N.C.H. Martin Luther King Celebration in January 2018. Surviving to honor Ken's memory is his loving wife of 24 years, Beverly Winston of the home, his son, Paul and wife Mirtica of Chapel Hill, NC, his daughter Laura and husband Drew of Leawood, KS, his daughter Emily and husband Bill of Gardner, KS, and five grandchildren, Eleanor, Olivia, Luke Thomas, Grace, and Lily. Survivors also include step-daughter Kathy and husband Paul of LaPorte, IN, step-daughter Kim and wife Melanie of Crowley, TX, and step-daughter Kelly and husband Greg of Folsom, CA, and three grandchildren, Robbie, Eric, and Ian. He was preceded in death by his birth mother, Chrysa Winston; his father, C. Carleton Winston, his mother that raised him, Vera Winston, and step-grandson, Tanner Jackson Wilmeth. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, March 16, 10:00 am at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Coffeyville, Kansas. The Reverend Gar Demo will officiate. Cremation will take place following the service. The family will have a private family inurnment at Forest Hill Cemetery in Kansas City, MO at a later date. Friends may call on Thursday, March 15, 2018 at David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville to sign the guest register from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. The family will greet friends at the funeral home on that date from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The family suggests memorials made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, CRMC Foundation and Harry Hynes Hospice. Contributions can be left with or mailed in care of David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337.