Kenneth M. Sokol, 07 Feb 1931 - 14 Sept 2013

SOKOL, CECAK, MARTIN, PAYNE, ALLEN

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 3/14/2014 at 14:14:51

Kenneth M. Sokol

Kenneth M. Sokol, 82, of Fayetteville, Tenn., formerly of Fairfax and Cedar Rapids, died peacefully Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013, at Huntsville Hospital, Huntsville, Ala., after a long illness.

Mr. Sokol is survived by his wife, Bernadette; five sons, Steven (Lea) of Fountain City, Ind, Mark (Teresa) of Eden Prairie, Minn., Randall (Susan) of Killingworth, Conn., Daniel of Fayetteville, Tenn. and Douglas of Fayetteville, Tenn.; daughter, Connie (Jeffrey) of Lewisburg, Tenn.; and brother, Robert Sokol of Rochester, Minn.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Roger Sokol.

He was the proud grandfather of eight grandchildren, Brenna Martin (Jeffrey), Kelsey Sokol, Ashley Sokol, Stephanie Sokol, Olivia Sokol, Natalie Sokol, Lindsey Sokol and Jason Payne; one stepgrandchild, Quinton Allen (Emily); and one stepgreat-grandchild, Ella Allen.

Mr. Sokol was born in Vining, Iowa, in 1931, to Lillian (Cecak) and Milo Sokol. He graduated from Norway, Iowa, High School in 1948 and married Bernadette in Walford, Iowa, on April 5, 1951.

Mr. Sokol was employed by Amana Refrigeration Inc., Amana, Iowa, in 1948. His first job at Amana was as a press operator. He became a foreman at age 19, and then took on roles with increasing responsibility through 1979, when he was promoted to vice president and general manager of the Amana facility in Fayetteville, Tenn. He held that position from 1979 to 1991, also taking an active role in the community: Board Member, Union National Bank; Motlow College Foundation chairman (1990-1992) & trustee; board member, Elk Valley Cotton Mill; board member, South Central Shelter; chairman, City/ County Consolidation, Metro Board; member, Industrial Development Board; president, Rotary Club of Fayetteville (97-98); led the project to install tornado warning sirens; president of Parish Council, St. Anthony’s Church; and member, State of Tennessee Wastewater Financing Board.

Through his leadership role at Amana, he was also the driving force in arranging charity concerts by Roy Clark and the Oak Ridge Boys, which contributed to the Lincoln County High School sports facilities.

In 1991, Mr. Sokol was promoted to senior vice president of operations for both the Amana, Iowa, and Fayetteville, Tenn. facilities and relocated to Iowa. On March 4, 1992, a State of Tennessee Senate Joint Resolution was approved, honoring Mr. Sokol for his service to the citizens of Tennessee. In 1993, Mr. Sokol retired from Amana Refrigeration after 45 years, and Ken and Bern moved back to Fayetteville, Tenn., to enjoy their retirement.

He had a positive impact on the lives of many and will be missed by family and friends.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Higgins Funeral Home in Fayetteville, Tenn. Mass will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Fayetteville, Tenn.

Published in The Gazette Sept. 17, 2013.
Note: per funeral home, burial in Rose Hill Cemetery