On April 13, 2023, Kenneth “Ken” Kersey passed peacefully into the arms of his savior while surrounded by his family. He was 83 years old. Ken is survived by his wife, Donna, of 61 years; his children, Robin (Gary) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Chris (Kathy) Kersey of Plano, Texas; his grandchildren, Dylan DePanfilis, Jackson DePanfilis, Julia Sievers, Bryan Kersey and Sarah Kersey; and his sister, Kay (Steve) Benno of Allen, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Sylvia Kersey.
Ken was born on May 22, 1939, in Lubbock, Texas. He was diagnosed with polio when he was 11 years old, and despite lifelong, related health issues, he never let them keep him from enjoying life. He graduated from East Aurora High School in Aurora, Illinois in 1957, and earned a degree in journalism from Northwestern University in 1961. While in college, Ken was a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity, and through its association with the Alph Omicron Pi Sorority, met the love of his life, Donna. They married after graduation on August 19, 1961 in Gary, Indiana.
Ken and Donna worked alongside one another in the travel business for the entirety of their careers. In 1982 they moved from Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Plano, Texas and opened their own travel agency, All Star Travel. During his career, Ken traveled extensively throughout the US, Europe, and around the globe, covering 85 countries including Australia, the Philippines, Kenya, Egypt, Chile, and Easter Island. The highlight of his travels was a trip with his father to Israel where they both were baptized in the Jordan River.
Ken loved sports and enjoyed watching and cheering on his favorite teams, the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Rangers. He was an active member of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas. He actively participated with Donna publishing their blog GodsOtherWays.com for the past 10 years. He also authored two books: “Miracles, Prophecy, & God’s Other Ways: How God works in today’s world” and “God’s Other Ways: How God works in the 21st Century.”
Because of the close connections he helped maintain over the years, he was able to recall many details of his life. In his final years, Ken worked tirelessly on his autobiography which chronicles his life’s many experiences with family, friends, and associates. Ken will be missed dearly by all who loved him.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at Ridgeview Memorial Park, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas. Pastor Steve Fischer will be officiating.