Kenneth Rea Wise, 78, of The Colony, Texas passed away on November 1, 2020. He was born on October 16, 1942 to George B. and Doris V. (Scott) Wise in Omaha, Nebraska.
Ken graduated from Manual Training High School in Peoria, Illinois in 1961. He enlisted in the United States Marines Corps in February 1962 and was stationed at Camp Pendleton in North San Diego County in Southern California. Ken returned home to marry the love of his life, Wanda June Hurn, on April 6, 1963 in Peoria, Illinois and the young couple moved to California where he was stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in Irvine, California. He received his specialized training as an Aviation Electronic Technician performing maintenance on the fire control systems of the F8/F4B aircraft deployed during Vietnam. Ken proudly served his country until completing his service as Sergeant E-5 in June 1966 and remained in the reserves until February 1968. During his years of service, he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service Medal. He was a Marine through and through and lived his life just as he served his country, with honor and distinction. After the military, Ken then went on to earn his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration at the University of California at Long Beach.
Ken and Wanda settled in Mission Viejo, California to raise their four children when he started his career at Pacific Bell Telephone Company in Technical/Network Operations. After 11 years, he moved his family to Nashville, Tennessee when accepting the Manager-Network Administration position at South Central Bell Telephone Company. His career then took his family to Duncanville, Texas, where he finished his 32-year career in telecommunications as the Network Operations Manager at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in Dallas, Texas in October 1997. After his retirement, Ken accepted a contract position with Verizon Communications, which took the couple to Alexandria, Virginia for several years. Although they enjoyed their time in Virginia, they ultimately decided to return to Dallas to be back with family. Ken was very fortunate to have spent 23 years in retirement enjoying his wife, kids, grandkids, and great grandchildren. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather and earned the moniker of Dad every day of his life, firm when needed, loving, and caring always. Next to spending time with his family, his favorite past times were traveling to see extended family and friends, watching the news to keep up to date on current events across the world, old westerns, and any good series he could find on cable networks, but nothing was more important than watching his Chicago Cubs. Go Cubs Go!
Ken is survived by his wife of 57 years, Wanda June Wise, of The Colony, Texas; son, Kevin Rea Wise and wife, Pam of Mesa, Arizona; daughters, Ronda Kay Allen and husband, Joel of Mesa, Arizona, and Robin Kristine Wise of The Colony, Texas; son, Kasey Rea Wise and wife, Kristina of Katy, Texas; grandchildren, Kaley Renee Wise, Deanna Rea Wise, Kenneth Robert Allen, Kody Rea Wise, Jared Matthew Wise, and Katelynn Rea Wise; great grandchildren, Lanna Alexander Allen, Hayden Rea Wagner, and Lane Dale Wagner; sisters, RosaLee Owen of Dunkirk, New York, Janice Canty of Ventura, California, and Susan Froding of Burbank, California; along with numerous other loving family members and great friends.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, George and Doris Wise, and sister, Judith Balfour.