Kenton Lear

Kenton Lear, 82, of Cartersville, died Monday January 29, 2024, at Baptist Health Richmond. Kenton was born October 7, 1941, on Copper Creek to the late Jesse and Mayme Parsons Lear. He was Baptist being saved and baptized through Jesus Christ. Kenton grew up running barefoot through the creeks and woods of Copper Creek with his brothers and cousins. It was there he grew a close bond with the land and trees taught by his grandfather. There was not a tree that Kenton could not Identify. In good times and hard times, he would find solace again at the creeks and woods.

Kenton graduated from Paint Lick High School. He served in the Kentucky National Guard 138th Field Artillery Unit and the Army Reserve during the Vietnam Era. On June 6, 1964, he was united in holy matrimony to Patricia Ann Warmouth (the 20th anniversary of D-Day). From that union came two children, Rocky Vincent, and Angela Diann who he taught the meaning of hard work as a loving father, loving defender, loving protector, and best friend.

Kenton was a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University earning his Bachelor, Master, Rank I & II in education. He was a teacher for the children at Parksville Elementary in Boyle County and Camp Dick Robinson Elementary in Garrard County. He was a principal for the children at Buckeye Elementary until its closure in 1988. He was an administrator for the Garrard County School District Central Office over Chapter 1 and wrote many grants for state funding for the children of Garrard County Schools.

Kenton ran Copper Creek Truck and Auto alongside his brothers Frank and Darrell and son Rocky. They rebuilt dump trucks from the motor to the paint job. From the buying, selling, and trading of auto parts to the selling of rebuilt trucks he formed many connections with not only local people but those from other states. He was a farmer raising strawberries on Copper Creek for many years and also raised cattle, tobacco, and various other crops. In later years he went to the trees sawing lumber with his sawmill alongside his brothers and son. They provided lumber for many floors and trusses in homes and barns.

Those left to celebrate his life are his wife of 60 years Patricia Lear; daughter Angela Mullins and son-in-law James Mullins; grandchildren Rocky Douglas Lear, Harrison Kenton Mullins, and Susanne Katherine Mullins; brothers Darrell Lear (Della), Franklin Lear (Carol); sister, Carolyn Durham (Roger); as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Beside his parents, he was preceded in death by his baby brother Royce and his son Rocky Vincent.

Funeral services were held on Friday, February 2, 2024, at Davis & Powell Funeral Home. Bro. Bruce Ross officiated. Burial followed in the Berea Cemetery with full military honors. Pallbearers were Zack Drake, Billy Anderson, Donald Lear, Ray Hammonds, James Mullins, Harrison Mullins, Donnie Sowder, and Bill West. Honorary Pallbearers were his brothers and sister and their spouses.

Davis and Powell Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements,