Kenneth Ray Wilborn of Manila, AR, was born in Cardwell, MO, on Dec. 11, 1942, to Opal (Hyde) and Walker Wilborn. On Feb. 20, 2023, he took his last breath at St. Bernard's Hospital.
As a young boy, Ken was fascinated by books and animals. He married Clora Joan Lang and soon graduated from the University of Missouri in 1966 with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. He was a longtime veterinarian in the Lynnville-Sully area. He never stopped wanting to learn, even considered himself a student at the age of 80 and always encouraged everyone to continue their education.
He loved his family, friends, history, flowers, science, reading, any and all Missouri Tigers sports, thoroughbred horses, playing tennis or hopscotch with his youngest grandchild, good food, Hershey's chocolate bars, and ice cream. He was well-known for his quick wit, hilarious one liners, using at least half the dishes in the kitchen while cooking a simple one-pan meal, and never saying no to his grandchildren. He helped many struggling college students excel in his two favorite classes, chemistry and physics. His greatest accomplishment was not his education but his ability to listen to someone who needed a friend to encourage them in their darkest hour. He was always a phone call away. Even in the wee hours, he would claim he was awake and just going to get a glass of milk.
He was preceded in death by his wife "Joanie" and many friends and family members. He is survived by his children Curtis (and Jean) and Angie; a number of grandchildren, Rachel and Darik, Makenna and Jakob, Leah and Michael, Rebekah and Nick, Jerred, and the youngest Gracen; also two great-grandchildren, Devin and Zoe. And we can't forget to add his four-legged sidekick and cohort in crime, Bella.
In lieu of a funeral, Ken's final wishes were for those reading his obituary to spend time with your loved ones and to be sure to make room for ice cream. The Wilborn Family hopes and prays anyone suffering from the cruelty of Parkinson's Disease may soon benefit from a cure.
