Kenneth Charles Easom

Kenneth Charles Easom died peacefully at his home on December 20, 2018.  He was 74.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lucille and Louie Easom, and brother, Fredrick Louie Easom.

He is survived by his wife, Maxine Pinson Easom; two daughters and their spouses, Margaret (Meg) and Steven Hines of Athens, GA, and Merideth and Christopher Miller of Burlington, N.C.; beloved grandchildren: Lucy, Charlie and Merren Hines, and Emory and Adaline Miller; one brother, William Howard Easom, of Cordele, Georgia; and several nieces and nephews.

Ken was born November 30, 1944 in West Point, Georgia.  He graduated from Crisp County High School in 1961, and earned his bachelor’s degree from LaGrange College in 1965.  He moved to Athens when he and Maxine married in 1965, and attended the University of Georgia, earning a master’s degree in Counseling (1966), and a specialist’s degree (1980) and doctorate (1985) in Vocational Education.  Ken began his professional career as Assistant to the Dean of Men at the University of Georgia. Ken spoke fondly of his years with Dean William Tate, and what he learned from this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Ken began his thirty-three years of service at Athens Tech in 1969, and served in a number of positions: the Assistant Coordinator of Student Personnel Services, the Associate Director for Instruction, and the Director of the institution.  Under his leadership, Athens Tech became the first technical institution in Georgia to award credit to college students, ultimately leading to the renaming of the institution to Athens Technical College and changing Ken’s position to that of President.

This accreditation gave Athens Technical College the opportunity to develop a number of highly innovative programs that provided companies in the area with more qualified employees.  Athens Technical College was the first technical institution in Georgia to offer associate degree programs in nursing, research laboratory technology (biotechnology), radiography, respiratory therapy, and paralegal studies.   Ken’s vision for the school guided the college through a number of expansion and renovation projects. Three additional buildings were acquired to accommodate a significant increase in students. A larger library that supported the needs of a progressive postsecondary institution, a 200-seat auditorium, and state-of-the-art classrooms equipped with the latest technology were added to the Athens campus.  Satellite campuses in Elbert County, Walton County, and Greene County were built, expanding Athens Technical College to four campuses.

Ken served the local community through his participation in numerous service agencies.  He served on the Board of Directors for the Athens Rotary Club, the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, Urban Action, Inc., and the Wesley Foundation. He was a Leadership Athens participant, as well as a member of the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education.  Ken was a military veteran, having served in the National Guard.

Ken was a lifelong member of the Oconee Street United Methodist Church, where he served in numerous leadership capacities.  He taught youth Sunday School classes, served as chairman of the Church Council, provided leadership in the formation of Our Daily Bread, and was the Sunday School Superintendent for over twenty-five years.

Ken had a quiet, yet deep respect for God’s creation, as seen in his love of nature and the outdoors.  He was an avid hunter and fisherman, spending most of his retirement years standing on the bank of a pond fishing or in a deer stand in the woods.  His love for hunting and fishing started as a young child, and never diminished throughout his life time. In recent years, he was happiest when he was baiting hooks and pulling in 5-inch bream with his grandchildren.

Through the years, Ken’s allegiance to Athens could not be seen any clearer than on a Saturday afternoon when he was watching the Georgia Bulldogs, or from the stands of the Coliseum watching basketball.  He never missed a game, knew every player’s name, age, weight, and high school, and was confident that the dogs would win a National Title every year.

Ken’s closest friends will remember him most for his clever sense of humor.  He will forever be a true example of dedication, faithfulness and love.

Ken’s funeral will be held at Oconee Street United Methodist Church, located at 595 Oconee Street, Athens, on Thursday, December 27th at 11 a.m. with internment to follow in Oconee Hill Cemetery.  Friends of Dr. Easom can share condolences with the family from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 26th, at Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, East.

Memorial donations can be sent to the Kenneth Charles Easom Scholarship Fund at the Athens Technical College Foundation, Inc., 800 US Highway 29, North, Athens, Georgia 30601.