Kenneth L. Polvadore, 72, of Amarillo died Friday, March 13, 2009.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors Ivy Chapel, 2800 Paramount Blvd., with Lance Herrington of Paramount Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Kenneth was born March 23, 1936, in Tolar to Louis L. and Winnie Faye Polvadore. His family moved to Amarillo in 1940. After his parents' divorce in 1945, he and two of his brothers spent their formative years at Boys Ranch, a place that remained near and dear to his heart.

He married LaQuitta Patterson on March 28, 1958. Together they had two children, Teresa Kay Polvadore and John Brett Polvadore. Kenneth served in the U.S. Army during 1959-60. He was stationed in Fort Richardson, Alaska. Kenneth was employed by Western Sales & Testing for 35 years in hydrostatic testing until his retirement in 1999. Kenneth was an active member of Paramount Baptist Church, where his Sunday school class was very special to him. Kenneth was an avid golfer, and in retirement he and LaQuitta enjoyed numerous golfing trips.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Clarence Polvadore, Bernie Polvadore, Charles Polvadore and Bob Polvadore; and a sister, Wanda Finchum.

Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Teresa Kay Polvadore who is a missionary currently serving in Tanzania, East Africa; a son, John Brett Polvadore of Amarillo; a sister, Priscilla Brannum of Santo; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

The family suggests memorials be to Paramount Baptist Church Scholarship Fund, 3801 S. Western St., Amarillo, TX 79109; or to Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, P.O. Box 1890, Amarillo, TX 79174-0001.

Amarillo Globe-News, March 15, 2009