Kenneth Roger Heaberlin, a retired oil and gas executive and father of three, died February 23rd after a heroic battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 80. A memorial service will be held at Rejoice Church in Owasso, OK on Thursday, March 6th at 3 p.m.
Ken was born on March 16th, 1944, in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Mildred and Earl Heaberlin. Ken grew up in Mitchellville, Iowa.
The son of a teacher and tradesman, Ken learned the value of hard work at an early age while throwing newspapers and as a teenager pumping gas at a local filling station. Later in life, Ken and his father owned and operated Heaberlin’s Farmers CO-OP. Ken volunteered as a firefighter in Mitchellville and was a civic organization member of the Jaycees, United States Junior Chamber of Commerce.
Ken graduated from Mitchellville High School in 1962. He studied at Grandview College and later, graduated from Drake University in 1973.
Ken married Diana Kay Bulver in 1963, they had two boys, Tony and Dennis. Diana passed away suddenly just before her 21st birthday in 1966.
Ken met and married Kathleen Marie Newman in 1968, they later had a daughter, Dana.
Ken began his career in the oil and gas industry at Skelly Oil Company in Des Moines, Iowa and Denver, Colorado where he became an avid Denver Broncos fan. Through several transitions and company buyouts, Ken later worked for Getty Oil which landed he and his family in Tulsa, OK. Later working for Texaco in Tulsa, Los Angeles and Houston, he ultimately retired from Chevron at the age of 55.
In retirement, Ken and Kathy enjoyed their home on Beaver Lake in Rogers, Arkansas and many years traveling in their motorhome, camping with friends and family. They later returned to Oklahoma to live in the country near Owasso.
Preceded in death by parents Mildred and Earl Heaberlin, wife Diana Heaberlin, son Dennis Heaberlin and daughter-in-law Mollie Heaberlin.
Survivors include his wife Kathleen, son Tony and his wife Casey Lynn, daughter Dana Watson and her husband Cary. Other survivors include his sister Margret Heaberlin Sexton, and grandchildren Collin
Heath and his wife Becca, Casey Abbott Heaberlin, Grace Bannerlyn, Jack Heaberlin as well as great grandson Levi Heath and dog, Charlie.
In lieu of flowers, family and friends are encouraged to donate to the Parkinson’s Association or Rejoice Church, Owasso Oklahoma.
