John Kuykendall

John Kuykendall, 88, of Flat Rock, NC, graduated to Heaven Tuesday, February 24, 2009.

Born in Henderson County, NC, he was the son of the late Philip Allen Kuykendall, Jr. and Ella Louise Hill Kuykendall. He was also preceded in death by his brother, James Kuykendall and sisters, Virginia Jones and Mary Isbell.

A US Army veteran of World War II, he served his country in six campaigns in the European Theatre, earning the EAMET Campaign Medal with six Bronze Service Stars and the Good Conduct Medal.

He was a self-employed carpenter and farmer. A member of Maranatha Baptist Church, he served as a deacon for many years and was known for giving gospel tracts to all he met.

He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Pauline Bates Kuykendall of Flat Rock; sons, David Kuykendall and wife, Connie; Ralph Kuykendall and wife, Barbara; and Don Kuykendall and wife, Tammy, all of Zirconia, NC; daughters, Lula Mae Haviland and husband, Larry, of Greenville, SC; Marie Hoots and husband, Robert, of Flat Rock; and Grace King and husband, Chuck, of East Flat Rock; sister, Geneva Kuykendall Halford of Fletcher; brother-in-law, J.B. Isbell of Rutherfordton; seventeen grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 11 AM Friday, February 27, 2009 at Maranatha Baptist Church with the Reverends D. Lewis Staton and Phillip Kuykendall officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gideonís International, PO Box 6284, Hendersonville, NC 28793-6284, or to Four Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care, 571 S. Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731.