Kenneth Harold Whitacre

Kenneth Harold Whitacre, 80, of New Kensington, passed away Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. He was born on the family farm near Capon Bridge, W. Va., Sept. 8, 1940, the son of Basil and Ruth (Morgan) Whitacre, number 12 of 14 total children.

Ken graduated from Capon Bridge High School and moved to Pittsburgh where two of his sisters had relocated. He became a BMW, Porsche and Volkswagen mechanic, working first for Ted McWilliams and then at P&W Foreign Car Service. He met his wife, Kathryn, when he worked on her red Porsche. She told him he would have to take her to dinner, the repairs having cost so much! They were married Aug. 1, 1970, and had just recently celebrated their 50th anniversary.

Ken was easygoing and a friend to all, a hunter in his younger days and a fisherman until his knees kept him from walking the streams. He was a devoted father and grandfather who loved cuddling little ones in his lap and teasing them. Watching their participation in sports and activities gave him joy. He especially enjoyed Tuesday morning breakfasts with Liz, Ellie and Carter. He always liked going back to the farm to help put up hay and butcher pigs. Ken belonged to the United Presbyterian Church of New Kensington and the 7th Street Sportsman Club, where he enjoyed a drink and cigar with his buddies and signing the book.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Mary Miller, Hilda Wingfield, Margaret Frazier, Rosalie Creighton Fahnstock, Lillie Kleman, Jean Wilson and Sharon Lersch; and brothers, Harry, Paul, Phillip and Gordon.

Ken is survived by his wife, Kathryn (Kinney) Whitacre; son, Andrew and Denise Whitacre, and their children, Elliot Rose and Carter Kenneth; daughter, Elizabeth and Robert Deringer, and their children, Steven, Nicholas and Nathan Szanto and Emily; sister, Pansy McDonald; and brother, Dale Whitacre.

Viewing will be from 1 to 3 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m., followed by a funeral service at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in the ROSS G. WALKER FUNERAL HOME, LTD., 217 Freeport Road, New Kensington. Rev. Wendy Keys will officiate. Visit www.rossgwalker.com. The 7th Street Sportsman Club will also hold a service at 6 p.m. Tuesday honoring their late member. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Ken to the Westmoreland County Food Bank, 100 Devonshire Drive, Delmont, PA 15626 or Brother's Brother Foundation, P.O. Box 645934, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-5257.

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