Kenneth M. Sokol, 82, of Fayetteville, TN, formerly of Fairfax and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died peacefully on September 13, 2013 at Huntsville Hospital, Huntsville, AL, after a long illness. Mr. Sokol is survived by his wife Bernadette; five sons, Steven (Lea) of Fountain City, IN, Mark (Teresa) of Eden Prairie, MN, Randall (Susan) of Killingworth, CT, Daniel of Fayetteville, TN, Douglas of Fayetteville, TN; daughter Connie (Jeffrey) of Lewisburg, TN; and brother Robert Sokol of Rochester, MN. He was preceded in death by his brother Roger Sokol. He was the proud grandfather of eight grandchildren: Brenna Martin (Jeffrey), Kelsey Sokol, Ashley Sokol, Stephanie Sokol, Olivia Sokol, Natalie Sokol, Lindsey Sokol, and Jason Payne; one step-grandchild: Quinton Allen(Emily), and one step-great-grandchild: Ella Allen.
Mr. Sokol was born in Vining, Iowa in 1931 to Lillian (Cecak) and Milo Sokol. He graduated from Norway, Iowa High School in 1948, and married Bernadette in Walford, Iowa on April 5, 1951. He was employed by Amana Refrigeration, Inc., Amana, Iowa in 1948. His first job at Amana was a press operator. He became a foreman at age 19, and then took on roles with increasing responsibility through 1979 when he was promoted to Vice-President & General Manager of the Amana facility in Fayetteville, TN. He held that position from 1979-1991, also taking an active role in the community. Mr. Sokol served as Board Member Union National Bank, Board Member of Elk Valley Cotton Mill, Board Member South Central Shelter, Chairman of City and County Consolidation Metro Board, Member Industrial Development Board, President Fayetteville Rotary Club (1997-1998). Mr. Sokol led the project to install tornado/warning sirens, was President of Parish Council at St. Anthony’s Church, State of Tennessee Waste water Financing Board member. Through his leadership role at Amana, he was also the driving force in arranging the charity concerts by Roy Clark and the Oak Ridge Boys, which contributed to the Lincoln County High School sports facilities. Mr. Sokol was promoted to Senior Vice President of Operations for both the Amana, Iowa and Fayetteville, TN facilities and relocated to Iowa on March 4, 1992. A State of Tennessee Senate Joint Resolution was approved honoring Mr. Sokol for his service to the citizens of Tennessee. In 1993 Mr. Sokol retired from Amana Refrigeration after 45 years, and Ken and Bern moved back to Fayetteville, TN to enjoy their retirement. He had a positive impact on the lives of many, and will be missed by family and friends.
Mass will be conducted Wednesday at 11 AM at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Fayetteville, TN. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be Tuesday evening 5-8 PM at Higgins Funeral Home
Bernadette and family – I am sorry for your loss and you are in my thoughts at this difficult time. I am honored to have worked with him his last year at the Iowa facility before he retired. He was such a kind, gentle man! Connie Esser, Walford, IA
Old neighbors and old friends…the Sokols, In my youth, Ken was like a Dad that wasn’t my Dad! His smile was infectious and he was always happy to see the little boy next door. He and Bernadette allowed us to visit anytime and all the time. Best memories include his breakfast with the football team from St. Pat’s, the first micro-wave oven popcorn in Fairfax, Howard Johnson’s at the Twins games, suicide doors on, I think, a Plymouth, the Cherry dipped VW Van and best of all: countless hours on the lit basketball court that had a fence to keep us kids, and the ball, from going over the edge (We wouldn’t let the man build a garage!). Ken was loved and left a legacy of individuals in his family I still count as friends. May God hold you in the palm of His hand during this difficult time. Love, Patrick Slater, Fairfax, IA
To the Sokol Family,
So sorry to learn of Ken’s passing. It seems mere words are so inadequate at a time like this. May God help ease your pain with your beautiful and loving memories during this difficult time. I considered Ken a dear friend and valued his opinion highly. Please know you’re in my heart and in my prayers.
God Bless,
Peggy Bevels
My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Family. So sorry….
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Mr. Ken was a wonderful man that loved God, his family, and friends. My family was blessed to have known him and to call him our neighbor. May God love and comfort embrace this amazing family.
Cannot say enough kind words about this man. You didn’t have to ask who came first in his life, Bernadette and his children. They were his pride and joy. He did a lot for Lincoln County that alot of people don’t even know about. He loved Fayetteville/Lincoln County. Many happy memories working for him at Amana. Prayers for the Sokol family.
So sorry to hear of Ken’s passing. Ken was a GREAT guy and we as a family have so many wonderful memories of our interactions with the Sokol family while you lived in Fairfax. My father and mother treasured their relationship with Ken and Bernadette and so many times lately I would see my father moved to tears (and a belly laugh) when he thought of Ken and the times they shared together. There was not a person on this earth that my dad thought more of than Ken Sokol – I can guarantee that. I can still recall the trip to the Twins game in Mpls when the luggage flew off the top of the car !! While the tears will surely be shed now, my first reaction when I think of your dad will always be to smile and say “what a great guy”…. not a bad way to be remembered…
All the best from Iowa!
The Merritt Family
Johnston, IA
May his soul rest in peace; he has suffered long enough.