Kenneth Raymond Middleton, age 84, of Uniontown, Kansas, passed away peacefully Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at Credo Memory Care, in Fort Scott, Kansas. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandpa and great grandpa. He is now reunited with his loving wife and best friend Lavon of 64 years.

He was born September 13, 1940, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the son of Lee and Allie Middleton. Ken grew up in Petersburg, Kansas, and graduated from Uniontown High School in 1958. He married his high school sweetheart Lavon Kay Richards on July 22, 1961, at Paint Creek Church in Redfield, Kansas.

Kenneth was best known to his friends as “Speedy,” a nickname he earned from his school bus driver.

Ken joined the Navy in December of 1961 and spent 20 years traveling the world and living a life of adventure as a Naval intelligence officer. Lavon and their three children joined him on his deployments when possible, traveling the world also. After his Naval retirement, Kenneth and his family settled back in Uniontown, where he worked at the local grain elevator until his final retirement in 2002. Ken loved spending time in his garden, playing pool with the guys and having morning coffee with friends at Union Station. His greatest love was the time spent with his wife Lavon, who preceded him in death in 2025.

He is survived by his three children: Sandy (Perry) Lackey of Eldorado Springs, Missouri; Steve (Chris) Middleton and Greg (Semina) Middleton, both of Uniontown, Kansas; 11 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren, along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Lavon Middleton; his parents Lee and Allie Middleton; four sisters, Lois Cooney, Carrier Elbrader, Carolyn Roark and Donna Davidson; and one brother, David Middleton.

Kenneth will be laid to rest at Paint Creek Cemetery in a private family ceremony at a later date.