Kenneth Gene Harbeston

Kenneth Harbeston went peacefully into the arms of his loving Savior on Monday, October 7, 2019, surrounded by family. He was born the only child of Ed and Marie (Horn) Harbeston in Mounds, Oklahoma on March 21, 1935. He was raised east of Seminole, graduating from Strother High School in 1952, the only boy in his graduating class. As a child, he rode the school bus with a little girl that he pulled her pigtails daily. When she would try to get him to stop, he would tell her that when she grew up, he was going to date her. That little girl was Joyce Williams whom he married on September 9, 1954 in the old First Baptist Church in Seminole. They just celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. After high school graduation, Kenneth attended Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton where he was a member of the basketball team. After he and Joyce married, they moved to Ada, Oklahoma where he completed his bachelor’s degree at East Central. They moved back to Seminole where he was a teacher and coach and later principal at Varnum Schools. During these years, he built and contracted the building of his home east of Seminole, where they lived many years, raising both daughters in this home. His oldest daughter and son-in-law continue to live in this home. Kenneth later was director of Neighborhood Youth Corp, where he affected the lives of many children with summer and after school programs and jobs. In 1970, he and his business partner, Kenneth Bess, established K-Oil Company, an independent oil production company, which he helped operate until 2000. During these years, he was also co-owner of Polo’s Mexican Restaurant, Western Sizzlin’ and KAT Supply. Kenneth and Joyce raised their daughters at First Assembly of God Church in Seminole where he served as deacon, Sunday School superintendent and teacher. They later were members of Immanuel Fellowship Church and Temple of Praise in Seminole. Kenneth had a strong faith, accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at a young age. He raised his family in church and established a strong foundation in his family that remains today. As Alzheimer’s disease slowly took his memory and strength, his love and kind, gentle spirit remained. He will be greatly missed, but we have a confident assurance that we will be together again. Leaving Kenneth to cherish his memory are his wife of 65 years, Joyce, daughters; Tamra Hennen and her husband Mitchell of Seminole, Oklahoma, Amy Fent and her husband Kenneth of Camdenton, Missouri, grandchildren; Andrew and Heather Hennen, Mark and Erica Hennen, Angel and Joseph Skyles, Caleb and Raeshel Fent and twelve great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; Ed and Marie Harbeston and his mother-in-law; Vi Rogers. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, October 10, 2019 at Immanuel Fellowship Church, 3103 Highway 3 North in Seminole, Oklahoma with his son-in-law, Kenneth Fent officiating. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Seminole. Casket bearers will be Willie Evans, Mark Hennen, Andrew Hennen, Caleb Fent, Mitchell Hennen and Joe Skyles. Honorary bearers will be Frank Aylor, Dick Kernal, Victor Adams, Paul Sutton, Mike Nickell, Kenneth Lively, Roy Sisco and Barry Tims. The family wants to send a special thank you to Faith Hospice for all their love and care, especially Brett, Brenda and Danya. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Temple of Praise Building Fund, 1100 N. University in Seminole, Oklahoma 74868. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma. Funeral Information: October 10, 2019, 2:00 PM Immanuel Fellowship Church located at 3103 Highway 3 North, Seminole, OK 74868