Obituary of Kenneth G. Flower

HOBART Kenneth G. Flower passed away at home on Monday, April 8, 2013 after suffering a long illness with COPD. Ken was born in Delhi on April 14, 1922, the son of George E. and Angie (Hinkley) Flower. His family relocated to Hobart in 1924, where his father bought a plumbing business. Ken attended Hobart High School until it was later relocated, becoming the first graduating class of South Kortright in 1940. He attended Cornell University and Albany Business College earning his degree in Business Administration in 1942. Later that year he joined the US Army during WWII for 40 plus months, primarily as Army Coast Guard Artillery and served over three years in the Panama Canal Zone as First Sargent. After being discharged in November of 1945, he joined his father's heating, fuel oil and LP gas business forming George Flower and Sons. On June 2, 1946 he married Isabel Murray of Walton, the daughter of Kenneth and Vida (Little) Murray. They settled in Hobart and had two children, Pamela and Timothy. Ken was an active member of the community, serving as President of the Hobart Rotary and Past Master of Saint Andrews Masonic Lodge #249. He was a life member of the Hobart Methodist Church serving on the church board and finance committee. He was on the board of directors at the National Bank of Hobart and on the Advisory Board for NBT Bank. He served as the Director of the Hobart Community Foundation, was on the Locust Hill Cemetery committee, and a long time member and board member of the Stamford Golf Course. Ken had many interests including, skiing, golfing, hunting trips with friends, books on tape for the legally blind that were provided by The Blind Association, spending time with family at Caroga Lake and wintering in Port Charlotte, Fla, for many years. Ken is survived by his wife, Isabel Flower of Hobart; a son, Tim Flower and Janel Kilmer of South Kortright; several nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends and special friends. He was predeceased by his parents and his daughter, Pamela. A graveside memorial service will take place on Monday, April 15, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. at the Locust Hill Cemetery, Hobart. Contributions in Ken's memory are asked to be made to Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820 or to a charity of one's choice. Condolences for the family can be made online at www.macarthurfh.com. Arrangements are by the MacArthur Funeral Home of Hobart.