Kenneth Maurice Tolleson

Kenneth Maurice Tolleson, a 34 year resident of West Columbia, passed away Sunday, June 26, 2016 in Austin, Texas at the age of 93. Ken was born on July 22, 1922 in Stroud, Oklahoma to Jesse and Carrie Alumbaugh Tolleson. Ken is survived by his wife Shirley Tolleson of Austin; daughter and son-in-law Shelley Tolleson and Jerry Barnes of Austin; daughter and son-in-law Carol VanMeter Davdson and Ken Davidson of Austin; son and daughter-in-law Steve and Lisa VanMeter of Round Rock, Texas; grandsons Ben Epstein and his wife Chelsea of Portland, Oregon; David Epstein of Portland, Oregon; Jeffrey Ahearn and wife Angie of Houston; Zach VanMeter and wife Zuney of Naples, Florida; Brett VanMeter of Pearland, and Kyle VanMeter of Pearland; granddaughters Kari Linscomb and husband Bryan of Austin; Courtney Davidson McIlwraith and husband Stephen McIlwraith of New York City, and Amanda Atkinson and husband Matthew Atkinson of Austin. He is also survived by 5 great grandchildren, Skylar Linscomb, Savannah Linscomb, Isabella VanMeter, Xavier VanMeter, Ellie Atkinson, and Frederick Epstein. He is also survived by his first wife Myrtle Parke. Ken was preceded in death by his mother Carrie Doty, his father Jesse Tolleson, his step father Cy Doty, and his daughter Sydney Tolleson. Ken was raised in Austin, Texas and was a graduate of the University of Texas. During WWII, he proudly served his country in the US Navy as Lieutenant JG in the Pacific area. In 1946, after his military service was completed, ken began his career with Dow Chemical Company in Freeport, Texas in the Research Department, and then in various management positions. In 1973 he was named General Manager of Dow’s U.S. Eastern Division located in Ohio. In 1977 he made Vice President of Dow’s Far Eastern Division located in Hong Kong, where he remained until his retirement in 1980. Known to his golfing buddies (The Mouthers) as the “The Hawk”, Ken was fortunate to have played some of the world’s most beautiful and prestigious golf courses, but he could think of no better place to retire than the beautiful course at Columbia Lakes in West Columbia, Texas, only a few miles from his longtime favorite course at Riverside Country Club. Ken was a member of the Bethel Presbyterian Church in West Columbia for over 34 years. He and his wife Shirley loved Bethel and thought of the members there as their second family. Ken was honored and grateful to have served Bethel in a number of ways, including as elder and as treasurer. A Celebration of Ken’s Life will be held at bethel Presbyterian Church in West Columbia, Texas on Saturday, August 27, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. with a luncheon to follow. Services will be conducted by the Reverend Jim Gentner, longtime minister and cherished friend. Join us as we celebrate this good man.