Funeral service for Charles "Kenneth" Clinkenbeard will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 20, 2024 in Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Chapel.

Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens.

The family will greet friends from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Charles Kenneth Clinkenbeard, age 88, joined his Lord in Heaven on September 16, 2024 in Lawton, Oklahoma. He was born on April 22,1936 in Boone, Oklahoma to Charles and Lula "Love" Clinkenbeard.  Kenneth grew up in the Fletcher area.

Kenneth married the love of his life, Laura Norene Rhodes, on March 10, 1956 in Fletcher, OK. Norene was truly his sweetheart. Neither could go to sleep at night without holding hands.  She spoiled him, and he would have been lost without her.

Throughout his life he enjoyed fishing, especially with his longtime preacher and friend, Reverend Dean Thompson. He also enjoyed trap shooting, golfing, hunting, and camping. Numerous family memories were made during the 48 years of annual October camping trips  to Beavers Bend. His favorite activities were sitting around the campfire, canoeing down the river, hiking and eating great meals.  For fifty years, Kenneth and Norene spent almost every Saturday night playing Pinochle with their dear friends Jack and Jackie Mitchell.

He was happiest when he was surrounded by those he loved. Kenneth was blessed with two wonderful daughters whose lives were influenced by the way he loved their mother, took care of their family and worked hard.  His grandchildren call him their hero and enjoyed every minute with him, including greeting him when came home from work by getting him something to "wet his whistle," making him cheese and crackers, and unlacing and pulling off his boots.

Kenneth had a fun-loving personality and enjoyed teasing his many nieces and nephews.  "Uncle Kenny" was always a favorite.

Kenneth started working with concrete at the age of 17.  He was an extremely hard worker and expected the same from others.  It was common for contracts to be awarded with the stipulation that Kenneth would be the lead foreman.  He helped construct many buildings across the Lawton-Fort Sill community.

Kenneth devoted his life to helping others.  He spent much time working with family, friends, neighbors and his church on construction projects. He was a leader at Brockland Freewill Baptist Church serving as an usher, bus driver, groundskeeper and member of Master's Men.

The family is especially thankful for Debbie and Randy for opening their home to Kenneth and Norene for the past two years and for taking such great care of him.

He is survived by his wife of the home, daughter, Debbie Dollarhite and husband Randy, Lawton; daughter, Brenda Hatch and husband Larry, Lawton; six grandchildren and their spouses, Brandon Dollarhite and Rebecca, Chandler; Shane Dollarhite and Amanda, Lawton; Kendra Jung and Brent, Cache; Kyle Hatch and Alisha, Manhattan, KS; Kara Polk and Jacob, Choctaw; Kayla Brierton and Austin, Lawton; twenty great grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren, sister Ella Mae Drake, step- brothers Paul Ray Smith and Doyle Smith, step-sister Dorothy Daft, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, step-father Robert Smith, step-mother Nellie Clinkenbeard, brothers Carl Clinkenbeard, Alpha "Buddy" Clinkenbeard, and Billy Clinkenbeard, sisters Mary McKnight and Virginia Owens.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.