Obituary

Kenneth Dea Drinkwalter was born January 22, 1939 in Ransomville, NY, to Perry and June Drinkwalter. He was the eldest of four children, and grew up in upstate New York. Ken met the love of his life, Carolyn, in the second grade. They became sweethearts in high school and were married October 14, 1961. Together they were blessed with two children, Tammy and Ken.

Ken made his mark on the community early in life. Always a hard worker, he began delivering newspapers at age 9, often with a pet crow on his shoulder. In his teen years, he helped local farmers plant gardens and plow fields, using the tractor he had purchased himself. After earning a degree in Engineering, he headed south. Ken’s career began in commercial construction, overseeing the building of many large structures, including a pickle plant, and Phipps Plaza. These projects took him and his family to multiple states and on many adventures. After several years in residential construction in Beaufort, SC, Ken returned to Atlanta, and rounded out his career in the home inspection business.

Ken had many hobbies – boy scouts and baseball growing up, a weekly tennis game, and a knack for fixing or making anything. A Revolutionary and Civil War enthusiast, he built an extensive collection of memorabilia, filling his home office, which he affectionately called the “War Room.” Ken was also known for his love of the outdoors, especially fishing. There weren’t many places he’d rather be than on his boat, pole in hand. It was the perfect sport for him, with his never-ending reserves of patience. And, there was plenty of time for good conversation with friends and family. Ken spent many days on the water and loved introducing his grandchildren to his favorite pastime.

No matter the location, Ken and Carolyn always found a church to get involved with, and invested in the people around them. He valued God, family, community and country. The Drinkwalter home was a welcoming place, accepting whoever entered with a warm smile and room at the table. Ken’s impact on these lives continued to the very end, with friends and family wanting to get in one more visit, phone call or hug. Ken appreciated his many blessings, always saying when asked how he was doing, “better than I deserve.”

Ken is survived by his wife of 63 years, Carolyn, his children Tammy and Chad Dykes, Ken and Leslie Drinkwalter, his four grandchildren Amanda Dykes, Drew Dykes (Alec), Miles Drinkwalter

(Olivia) and Georgia Russell (Jack), and his great grandson Dylan Arthur. Ken is also survived by his siblings Dennis (Dottie), Penny and Paul (Debbie) Drinkwalter.