Kenneth Smallwood

Kenneth Leo Smallwood
Dec 2, 1934 - Mar. 4, 2015

Kenneth Leo "Bobby" Smallwood passed away Wednesday, March 4, 2015 in Blytheville, Arkansas on his way home from the funeral of his wife of 61 years, which was held in their hometown of Elizabethtown, Kentucky. He had been suffering from lung cancer and COPD for some time and was too weak to stay in his earthly body without his loving wife. He was surrounded by his children at the time of his death. Kenneth's grandson, Cpt Chaplain Arthur Dickerson III will officiate. Visitation will begin Monday at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. A memorial service will be held in Waco, 1 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at OakCrest Funeral Home, with the Rev. Jerry Zucha officiating.

Kenneth Leo, or Bobby, was born to Lawrence and Ruby Kiper Smallwood, in Louisville, Kentucky, on December 2, 1934. He fell in love with Alice Rosemary Dillingham at first sight, and pursued her until she agreed to marry him. He joined the Air Force at 19 and they traveled the world together for 61 years, raising seven children.

Kenneth spent 21 years in the Air Force, retiring as a Senior Master Sergeant. His Air Force career took him and his family all over the world, including Japan and Guam and several tours in Thailand and Korea. Kenneth worked in Jet Avionics, primarily, and was a lifelong electronics enthusiast. After leaving the Air Force, he went on to work as a technical writer, from which he also retired. An avid writer, he authored several books and was published in a number of professional journals. After retirement Kenneth was able to concentrate on his lifelong love for woodworking and tinkered in the shop for hours. With Rosemary's love for dulcimer music, he was able to translate his wood working expertise to become a master builder of dulcimers along with Rosemary.

His greatest love was his wife, children, and family. In retirement he spent many satisfying hours with his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and extended family. Kenneth researched the genealogy and Smallwood family heritage, spending years researching and documenting his family tree. His resulting book on the Smallwood genealogy has become the 'go to' book on the Smallwood history. Another love that developed in his retirement years came from his association with the Masons. He worked tirelessly on many projects at the Masonic Temple and Scottish Rite as secretary of the lodge. He was extremely proud of being a Mason and was dedicated to the Masonic way.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Alice Rosemary (Dillingham) Smallwood; his parents; two brothers, Lewis Smallwood and Frank Smallwood; and one son, Michael Ray Smallwood.
He is survived by his sister, Dorothy Smallwood of Elizabethtown; two sons, Rusty Savage and Neal Smallwood, of Springfield, Oregon, and Tim Smallwood of Plano, Texas; three daughters, Gayle Zucha and husband, Scooter, of Waco, Teresa Jones of Coldwater, Kansas, Linda Roeder and husband, Bryon, of Fort Worth, and Jane Lorenzen and husband, Mark, of Rockwall, Texas; as well as many loving nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.brownfuneral.com.