Kenneth (Ken) Clarke Bean

Services for Kenneth Clarke Bean, 84, will be held Wednesday October 9, 2019, at 1:00 pm Central Daylight Time, at the McKenzie First Cumberland Presbyterian Church with Reverends Kevin Wood, Jackson Brewer, and Tony Janner officiating.  Cremation will follow the funeral services.  The family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 9, 2019, from 11:00 am until service time at the McKenzie Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 

Mr. Bean, whose career was in administration, retired as Vice President of Goodwill Industries of Kentucky, died Monday, October 7, 2019, at his residence.  He was born on March 19, 1935, in Maysville, Kentucky, to Albert and Lois Vice Bean.  He was a member of the McKenzie First Cumberland Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder, Co-chair of the Stewardship and Finance Committee, member of the Personnel Committee, and (WOW) Worship on Wednesday teacher.  Prior to moving to McKenzie, he had been a member of Somerset (Kentucky) First United Methodist Church where he served as member and chair of the Administrative Board, Sunday School teacher, and member of the Personnel Committee.  He had also served as member, Sunday School teacher, and Elder of Highpoint Cumberland Presbyterian Church from which he also was Moderator of Cumberland Presbytery.  Mr. Bean received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from University of Kentucky with work also toward his doctorate. Past work experiences included being a Poultry Extension Specialist at North Carolina State University and University of Kentucky where he also became Area Director for the Extension Offices.  At University of Kentucky-Somerset Community College, he was teacher, Acting Academic Dean, and Business Manager.  In 1976, he was awarded the Kentucky Great Teacher Award by the Kentucky Community College System.  Also, during his career life, he served as General Manager of Woodson Bend Resort and later as Executive Director of the Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce. 

Mr. Bean’s volunteer activities included Soil and Water District Supervisor (25 years), serving as President, Vice-President, and Secretary-Treasurer of the Kentucky Association of Conservation District Supervisors, President of both the Kentucky Coal Coalition and National Coal Coalition, Director of the National Association of Conservation Districts, President of the Kentucky Association of Chambers of Commerce.  He was named “Person of the Year” by Cumberland-Green Lakes Resource Conservation and Development Council and served as its chair. 

Mr. Bean was preceded in death by his parents, son Lowell Bean, and brother Patrick (Pat) Bean.

Survivors include his wife of nearly 20 years Nancy Mouser Bean of McKenzie, a daughter Leslie (Steve) Richter of Munfordville, KY, a son Rev. Jason (Suzanne) Mikel of Nolensville, TN, a special ‘son’ Rev. Leo Chang of Nolensville, a sister-in-law Becky Bean of Naples, Florida, six grandchildren Phillip (Gabby Frisse) Mikel, Wesley Mikel, John (Chelsey) Shepard, Steven Shepard, Phil (Lorena) Richter, and Brian Richter.  He also has 4 great-grandchildren John Allan Shepard, Wyatt Shepard, Jaxon Richter, Olivia Richter.  He is also survived by numerous friends and loved ones, especially several students of Congolese and Nigerian origins at Bethel University.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorials be made to McKenzie Cumberland Presbyterian Church Building Fund.

Brummitt-McKenzie Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.  For more information, please call (731) 352-4848 or visit www.brummittmckenziefuneralhome.com.