1925
Kenneth
2013
Kenneth E. Scoggins
November 26, 1925 — March 19, 2013
Harlingen, Texas:
Kenneth Scoggins, 87, passed away on March 19, 2013 at his residence surrounded by his family.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth, daughter Shalmir Scoggins Benner and husband Wolf Benner of Colleyville, Texas, daughter Karen Scoggins of Houston, Texas, son Stephen Scoggins of Harlingen, Texas, grandsons Kenneth Benner (wife Angela) of Frisco, Texas and John Benner (wife Kimberly) of Keller, Texas and great-grandchildren Lauren Benner, Brock Benner and Alyssa Benner. Also surviving is brother Jack H. Scoggins (wife Tina) of McAllen, Texas and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents George H. Scoggins and Savannah Scoggins and sisters Verla Scoggins Mynier and Maxine Scoggins Rushing.
Ken was born on November 26, 1925 in Anacoco, Louisiana and also lived in Leesville, Louisiana prior to his family’s move to the Rio Grande Valley to farm and ranch when Ken was 12 years old. Ken graduated from Harlingen High School in 1943 and worked as a highway construction machine operator and with his father at the Hardin Ranch near Rio Hondo. He was drafted on August 15, 1944 and was proud to be called on to defend his country in World War II as one of the youngest men in his company. Private (later Staff Sergeant) Ken (“Cat”) Scoggins was always a natural with machinery and was assigned into the Corp of Engineers division of the U.S. Army. He served in several arenas in the Pacific during the war, most notably on Okinawa. Ken was honorably discharged on October 24, 1946, awarded the Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon with One Bronze Star, Meritorious Unit Award, Army of Occupation Ribbon (Japan), Victory Ribbon, Two Overseas Service Bars, and the admiration and friendship of the men with which he served.
Ken came back to the USA and married the love of his life, Ruth, on October 6, 1946. Ken returned to farming at Hardin Ranch, and he and his brother Jack formed Scoggins Bros leading to many successful years together as farmers and cattlemen. Ken also served as an officer and director of Valley Grain & Elevator Co, a member of Briggs Coleman Gin and partnered with brother Jack and Louis A. Waters, in the formation of Starr Feedyards in Rincon, Texas. He and his wife Ruth also served as Don and Dona of the Algodon Club in 1980. Ken and Ruth were also members of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Harlingen and in later years he enjoyed watching Sunday services with Rev Gene Horton of the Rio Hondo Baptist Church. Ken never lost his love of watching cotton and grain grow, and visited Hardin Ranch on a daily basis even as he moved into his retirement years and turned over the farm to son Steve.
Ken delighted in outdoor activities, especially hunting and fishing with his brother and other hunting buddies. He and Ruth also traveled extensively, many of those trips taken with close friends Ronnie and Anne Round, John and Maxine Abbott and Ken and Barbara Weaver. In later years he loved to visit with his Rio Hondo friends at Mary’s restaurant every morning, swapping stories and serving as unofficial “Chairman of the Board” at their favorite table. Ken was known throughout his life for his devotion and generosity to family and friends forming numerous enduring friendships along the way.
Graveside services will be held at the mausoleum at Mont Meta Memorial Park on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 11:00 am with visitation at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home on Friday, March 22, 2013 from 1pm to 7 pm. Serving as Honorary pallbearers will be Ronnie Round, Ken Weaver, Dr. John Tucker, George Labar, Robert Scoggins, Billie Joe Simpson, Ed Norment, Bob Hatch and Louis A. Waters.
The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to Ken’s personal caregivers, Alma Ybarra and Maria Imelda Cano with special thanks also to Cuca Hernandez as well as the caregivers with CIMA Hospice and the staff at Retama Manor Nursing Home. They also express their thanks to Dr. Darryl White and the rest of the caring physicians at Family Practice.
In lieu of flowers the family request that memorials be given to the Sunny Glen Children’s Home, P.O. Box 1373, San Benito, TX 78586 or the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, 1801 S. McColl Rd, Suite 300, McAllen, TX 78503.
Kenneth Scoggins, 87, passed away on March 19, 2013 at his residence surrounded by his family.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth, daughter Shalmir Scoggins Benner and husband Wolf Benner of Colleyville, Texas, daughter Karen Scoggins of Houston, Texas, son Stephen Scoggins of Harlingen, Texas, grandsons Kenneth Benner (wife Angela) of Frisco, Texas and John Benner (wife Kimberly) of Keller, Texas and great-grandchildren Lauren Benner, Brock Benner and Alyssa Benner. Also surviving is brother Jack H. Scoggins (wife Tina) of McAllen, Texas and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents George H. Scoggins and Savannah Scoggins and sisters Verla Scoggins Mynier and Maxine Scoggins Rushing.
Ken was born on November 26, 1925 in Anacoco, Louisiana and also lived in Leesville, Louisiana prior to his family’s move to the Rio Grande Valley to farm and ranch when Ken was 12 years old. Ken graduated from Harlingen High School in 1943 and worked as a highway construction machine operator and with his father at the Hardin Ranch near Rio Hondo. He was drafted on August 15, 1944 and was proud to be called on to defend his country in World War II as one of the youngest men in his company. Private (later Staff Sergeant) Ken (“Cat”) Scoggins was always a natural with machinery and was assigned into the Corp of Engineers division of the U.S. Army. He served in several arenas in the Pacific during the war, most notably on Okinawa. Ken was honorably discharged on October 24, 1946, awarded the Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon with One Bronze Star, Meritorious Unit Award, Army of Occupation Ribbon (Japan), Victory Ribbon, Two Overseas Service Bars, and the admiration and friendship of the men with which he served.
Ken came back to the USA and married the love of his life, Ruth, on October 6, 1946. Ken returned to farming at Hardin Ranch, and he and his brother Jack formed Scoggins Bros leading to many successful years together as farmers and cattlemen. Ken also served as an officer and director of Valley Grain & Elevator Co, a member of Briggs Coleman Gin and partnered with brother Jack and Louis A. Waters, in the formation of Starr Feedyards in Rincon, Texas. He and his wife Ruth also served as Don and Dona of the Algodon Club in 1980. Ken and Ruth were also members of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Harlingen and in later years he enjoyed watching Sunday services with Rev Gene Horton of the Rio Hondo Baptist Church. Ken never lost his love of watching cotton and grain grow, and visited Hardin Ranch on a daily basis even as he moved into his retirement years and turned over the farm to son Steve.
Ken delighted in outdoor activities, especially hunting and fishing with his brother and other hunting buddies. He and Ruth also traveled extensively, many of those trips taken with close friends Ronnie and Anne Round, John and Maxine Abbott and Ken and Barbara Weaver. In later years he loved to visit with his Rio Hondo friends at Mary’s restaurant every morning, swapping stories and serving as unofficial “Chairman of the Board” at their favorite table. Ken was known throughout his life for his devotion and generosity to family and friends forming numerous enduring friendships along the way.
Graveside services will be held at the mausoleum at Mont Meta Memorial Park on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 11:00 am with visitation at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home on Friday, March 22, 2013 from 1pm to 7 pm. Serving as Honorary pallbearers will be Ronnie Round, Ken Weaver, Dr. John Tucker, George Labar, Robert Scoggins, Billie Joe Simpson, Ed Norment, Bob Hatch and Louis A. Waters.
The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to Ken’s personal caregivers, Alma Ybarra and Maria Imelda Cano with special thanks also to Cuca Hernandez as well as the caregivers with CIMA Hospice and the staff at Retama Manor Nursing Home. They also express their thanks to Dr. Darryl White and the rest of the caring physicians at Family Practice.
In lieu of flowers the family request that memorials be given to the Sunny Glen Children’s Home, P.O. Box 1373, San Benito, TX 78586 or the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, 1801 S. McColl Rd, Suite 300, McAllen, TX 78503.
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