Kenneth "Ken" Lauderdale

Kenneth Wayne Lauderdale

April 12, 1950 - December 21, 2023 (age 73)

A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Ken was a son of Betty Imogene Ramer Lauderdale and the late Marion D. Lauderdale. He was preceded in death by his beloved sisters, Lisa Marie Lauderdale, Donna Sue Lauderdale, and Kathleen Ann Seay Lauderdale.  Ken passed away on December 21, 2023, after a courageous 12 year battle with cancer. He left this earth peacefully with quiet resolve and faith in his Lord while being surrounded by loving family and friends. Ken left home at age 17 to enlist in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He became a large equipment operator driving trucks through Germany and was scheduled to, but did not, deploy to Vietnam on 5 separate occasions.

Ken was an adventurer and, after his Army service, started out studying pottery at Miami Dade College while living on a sailboat in Miami, FL. He held many jobs from his young years including fence builder, brick and block mason, collection agent, stereo equipment salesman, computer store owner, cellphone store owner, Bed and Breakfast owner and, most importantly, a real estate agent starting his career with John Byram in 1995.  Ken became successful receiving the prestigious Phoenix Award in 2007. He was a Real Estate Broker and earned the prestigious Accredited Land Consultant designation. Ken loved the land, loved the real estate business, loved his business partners, and loved Georgia and Oglethorpe County. With his background in construction, he specialized in historic restoration with the help of the late Jim Carter, a historic designer, and James Askins, a general contractor, and expert carpenter.  Ken restored at least 6 different historic structures in Oglethorpe County. Ken enjoyed outdoor sports such as fishing, hunting, and hiking. He owned horses most of his life and even won a Competitive Trail Ride at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. He rode motorcycles and restored a few old cars such as Mustangs and Scouts.  He enjoyed tractors and operating his Skid Steer on construction projects. He was especially fond of his farm cats which became house cats giving him great comfort and joy during his illnesses.

Ken became a Christian at age 40 and had a deep and abiding faith that enriched his life and the lives of others as he strove to live out Christ’s teachings. He focused on Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control” and  Romans 8:37-39 “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Ken was a devoted family man, and during the early stages of his cancer, stated that his only reticence in leaving this earth was leaving his grandchildren. He was an energetic, grateful, and devoted son, husband, step-father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, brother, cousin, and friend. He was always enthusiastic and optimistic and, as a close friend stated, his cup was always at least 3/4 full, never 1/2 empty.

Survivors include his wife, Linda Curlee Lauderdale; step-son, Brad Friedman (Linda); grandchildren, Nikki Friedman Cartagena (Alex), Mika Fick, Jordan Fick; great-grandson, Matteo Alexander Cartagena; brothers, Donal Lauderdale, Jamie Lauderdale; sisters-in-law, Jan Rowe, Carolyn Robbins, Brenda Micali; brother-in-law, Richard Curlee (Kathleen); Cousin – Al Wallace (Sharyne); nieces and nephews, Kevin Curlee (Sharon), Jason Rowe (Angie), Julie Quinlan (Steve), Jana Hawkins (Jay), Matt Donal Lauderdale, Evan Lauderdale, Nora Lauderdale, Melissa Lauderdale, and numerous great nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, January 28, 2024, at 3 PM at the Athens Church of Christ, 3720 Mars Hill Road, Watkinsville, GA 30677.  The family will receive friends and family for refreshments after the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: McRae Family Dental Scholarship https://www.cognitoforms.com/MBNA1/McRaeFamilyDental50thAnniversaryGalaDonationForm or https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/.

Lord & Stephens Funeral Homes is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com