Kenneth Lee Deike, 66, lost his battle with cancer and went to be with our Lord and Savior on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016.
Ken graduated from Fredericksburg High School in 1968. After graduation, he joined the United States Navy, where he served aboard the USS Valley Forge. He received the Vietnam Service Medal with a Bronze Star and the National Defense Service Medal. He was honorably discharged in 1969 and remained a reservist until 1974. After serving in the military, he went to work for IBM and retired after 32 years. He then worked for Capstone Real Estate for 10 years. Since then, Ken has been doing one of his favorite jobs, helping others. From general maintenance for his Donut Shop family on their businesses and houses to moving furniture and installing new door frames for his friends. It didn’t matter what they needed, Ken was there.
Ken was loved by his family, friends and community. He was a member of the Hays County Livestock Show Board of Directors for many years. He loved to listen to music, play golf, grill and be with friends and family. He was loved by all, and he never met a stranger.
Ken is preceded in death by his mother, Myrtle Weirich Deike, and his father, Raymond Deike. He is survived by his daughter, Courtney Leonard and grandchildren Luke Pellerin and Amber Leonard of Kyle, three brothers and three sisters and their spouses: Vera and Don Kirkham of Dripping Springs, Curtis and Sharon Deike of Austin, Carolyn and Woody Lawler of Buda, Larry and Jodie Deike of Fredericksburg, Lila and Dalton West of Georgetown, Bobby and Gwenda Deike of Schertz. Ken is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and their families.
Thank you to the doctors, nurses and staff at Lakeway Regional Medical Center, the Austin Cancer Center and St. David’s Hospital. Thank you also to family and friends for their caring words and prayers for Ken.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society.
Visitation will be held at Harrell Funeral Home in Kyle on Friday, February 5, from 6-8 p.m. The funeral service will be held at Harrell Funeral Home in Kyle on Saturday, Feb. 6, at 11 a.m.
