Kenneth R. Colwell, resident of Owasso, passed away Monday evening, February 25, 2013 in Tulsa at the age of 85. He was born September 27, 1927 near Purcell, Oklahoma to M.E. and Mary William (Darnell) Colwell. Kenneth’s family lived in the Purcell area, the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, and Elmore City, Oklahoma before settling in Corpus Christi, Texas in 1943. On December 23, 1952, he and Margaret Hickman were united in marriage. To this union a daughter was born. They made their home in Corpus Christi, Texas until moving to Lompoc, California in 1959. Three years later, they returned to Corpus Christi. In 1994 they made Vernon, Texas home before coming to Owasso in 1998.
Kenneth worked many years as an electronics technician in the aerospace industry, both in support of military aircraft maintenance and in support of NASA. He was particularly proud of his career with the NASA Tracking Station in Corpus Christi and his contribution to the Manned Space Flight Program from Mercury and Gemini to Apollo and Skylab. Following the closure of the Tracking Station in 1974 Kenneth was a Production Controller at the Corpus Christi Army Depot for helicopter repair until his retirement in 1987.
Kenneth enjoyed restoring and showing Ford Mustang Cars and he was instrumental in forming the Coastal Bend Mustang Club. He was also an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys and especially enjoyed spending time with his granddaughter and family. Kenneth was a Christian and a Southern Baptist.
Those that survive include his wife of sixty years – Margaret; his daughter Brenda Laney and husband Doug of Owasso; granddaughter Jennifer; one brother C.D. Colwell and wife Elaine of Corpus Christi, TX; two sisters, Helen Wilbanks of Corpus Christi and Marion Grace Rackley and her husband Paul of Chapman Ranch, Texas. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews. Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and one sister.
Funeral services were held at 2:00 PM Friday, March 1, 2013 in the Chapel of Mowery Funeral Service with Rev. Kevin Laufer officiating. Private family committal was held in the Floral Haven Memorial Gardens in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Those that would like to honor Kenneth’s memory may do so by contributing to the Tulsa Area Salvation Army. Arrangements and services have been entrusted to Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso.
