Kenneth Edward Elsbury of Princeton, Texas passed away on October 11, 2021. He was born on February 20, 1940 to Milford and Sophia (Filipowcz) Elsbury in Chicago, Illinois. Kenneth married Barbara Foster on April 30, 1960. He proudly served his country as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps. Kenneth is a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Ken played football and wrestled for Warren High School in Gurnee Village, Illinois. In his senior year, Ken joined the Marine Corps Junior ROTC and upon graduation from high school departed immediate for basic training. After 14 years in the enlisted ranks, Ken became a “Mustang,” receiving a commission as a Limited Duty Officer. After his retirement from Active-Duty 1978, he completed his commissioned service in the Marine Corps Reserves and was officially retired as a Captain in 1988 – Sempre Fidelis!
He was stationed overseas three times in the Marine Corps. Throughout his service in the military and his civilian career with Rockwell and Boeing International, Ken worked as a communications expert. Many of the systems Ken helped develop and support are still deployed in the Military and in Government. His most significant program was the installation and maintenance of Whitehouse Communications Agency Systems and training of its maintainers for several years.
Ken was a member of the Boy Scouts of America in his youth and served as a Scout Leader in many Boy Scout Troops, Explorer Posts, and Cub Scout Packs throughout his adult life. Countless youth were blessed by his mentoring. Many of his scouts attained the rank of Eagle Scout including one son and five grandsons.
In the family, Ken is known as Saint Ken of Events. After God, family and friends were always paramount. He never missed participating in the accomplishments of children and grandchildren. He was at every milepost.
When Ken retired, he bought a car and started driving East, visiting every old friend, cousin, aunt, and uncle along the way. When he got to the East Coast, he turned North and continued to Ottawa Canada. Then he traveled West. No friend or relative was missed. From Illinois and Wisconsin, he then drove west and visited all the way to Seattle. Then down the West Coast, over to Salt Lake City, Denver, Oklahoma City and back to McKinney Texas. His retirement trip took him over 6 months. He drove over 12 thousand miles.
Ken was a fierce warrior, but he had an immensely kind heart. He loved cribbage – but never “mugginsed” anyone.
He absolutely loved his wife Barbara. The sun, moon and every star rose in her eyes; and she faithfully saw to his every need during the recent difficult days of his life.
Kenneth is survived by his wife, Barbara Elsbury of Princeton, Texas; children, Stephen Elsbury and wife, Kathy of Aztec, New Mexico, Elizabeth Proctor and husband, Dan of McKinney, Texas, Rachel York and husband, Geoff of Springfield, Missouri, and Joel Elsbury and wife, Amy of Blue Ridge, Texas; 9 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; brothers, William Elsbury of Palm Springs, California, James Elsbury and wife, Lynn of Aurora, Colorado, and John Elsbury and wife, Nancy Jo of Moscow, Idaho; sister-in-law, Lois Elsbury of Gurnee, Illinois; and a host of other loving family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Michael Elsbury.
A funeral service with Military Honors will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 13, 2021 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1020 N Lake Forest Dr., McKinney, Tx 75071.