Kenneth Baxter Hatridge

Kenneth Baxter Hatridge, 84, of Jonesboro passed from this life on January 8, 2015. He was born on May 25, 1931 in Leadwood, Missouri to Mr. Alva and Mildred Hatridge. He grew up in Leadwood ad after high school (and a brief stint at Washington University) he entered the Naval Air School in Pensacola, Florida. In 1954, he married Nellie Jennings.
Upon receipt of his wings, he was sent to a squadron in Oak Harbor, Washington. During the time there the squadron spent two deployments in Kodiak, Alaska patrolling the Bering Sea in P2V aircraft with a crew of 10-12 men.
In 1957 he entered the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and received a degree in Electrical Engineering. In 1960 he moved his family to Seattle and worked for Boeing Aircraft Company for six years.
He learned that Winthrop Rockefeller was in need of another pilot to fly him through his campaigns so he moved his family to Petit Jean Mountain in 1966. After the death of Governor Rockefeller in 1973, Kenneth moved the family to Jonesboro. He owned and operated Roberson Printers for 21 years before his retirement.
He was a member of First Baptist Church for over 40 years. He served as a deacon and taught Sunday
school but found his true place of service helping in the Care Center.
Ken enjoyed being around people and always made a new friend after waiting in a long checkout line. He was always ready to take a motorhome trip despite the occasional run in with the side of a mountain! He was proud of his children and very proud of his grandchildren too. He loved to tell the “little boys” that they got their talent for baseball from him! After moving to Craighead Nursing he enjoyed “being the life of the party” and would serenade the staff with On Top Of Old Smokey. The family is so grateful to the wonderful staff at Craighead Nursing, especially for the love and care they gave him.
Ken is survived by his wife of 61 years, Nellie; his children, Virginia Meurer (Paul) of Osceola, Ruth McCauley (Stacy Greene) of Jonesboro and John Hatridge (Denise) of Groveland, Florida. He also leaves six grandchildren; Douglas Meurer (Christina) of Mountain Home, Sara Grace Meurer (Steve Welch), Ellen McCauley, John Michael McCauley, Robert McCauley and William McCauley, all of Jonesboro; along with three great grandchildren of Mountain Home. He leaves his two sisters, Joan Jordan (Art) of Omaha, Nebraska and Janet Thomlison (Clyde) of St. Charles, Missouri.
The funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, January 11, 2016 at Emerson Memorial Chapel with Al Presley officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Lawn Cemetery with Doug Meurer , John Micheal McCauley, Robert McCauley, William McCauley, Paul Meurer and Stacy Greene will serve as pallbearers and honorary pallbearers will be Eugene Hallett members of Kenneth’s Sunday School Class.
The Visitation will be prior to the service from 1:00 – 2:00p.m. at Emerson Funeral Home. The family asks in lieu of flowers, that you consider a donation to the First Baptist Church Care Center, 701 Main Street, Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401.
Online Guestbook: www.emersonfuneralhome.com