Kenneth LaVon Tomlinson, 87, Gallipolis, Ohio, passed away at Holzer Assisted Living, Gallipolis, Sunday, October 30, 2011. He was born October 14, 1924, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to the late Cecil and Katherine Blanky Tomlinson. He moved to Ohio early in his childhood and resided in Pickaway County.
He enlisted in the US Navy during WWII, and was stationed aboard the USS George K. MacKenzie. Upon returning from the war, he married Patricia Lou Miller on December 21, 1945. They worked together on their family’s farm until 1956 at which time Kenneth took a job with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources as a Game Warden and was assigned to Gallia County. This was a job he loved. In 1990, he retired from ODNR, but never gave up the love of the outdoors and his concern for conservation issues.
Kenneth was active in many organizations, among them: Gallia County Conservation Club, Gallia County Gun Club, Vinton F&AM Masonic Lodge 131, Knights of Columbus, Scottish Rite, Gallipolis Shrine Club, Gallipolis American Legion 27, VFW 4464, Kentucky Colonel, and Gallia County Farm Bureau. In addition, he was named 1979 Lawman of the Year and inducted into the Gallia County 4-H Hall of Fame in 1998.
He was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-two years, Patricia.
He is survived by daughters, Victoria (Mike) Wilcox and Valorie (Joe) Myers, both of Gallipolis; and granddaughter, the love of his life, Amanda (Todd) Coleman, also of Gallipolis.
Also surviving is sister-in-law, Fran Spires, Trenton, Illinois; sister-in-law, Nancy Miller Green, Apopka, Florida; brother-in-law, Samuel (Jean) Miller, Wetumpka, Alabama and several nieces, nephews and many friends at Holzer Assisted Living.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Friday, November 4, 2011, at the McCoy-Moore Funeral Home, Vinton Chapel, with Jack Berry officiating. Military Rites will be conducted by Gallia County Veterans Service Organizations at the conclusion of the service. Burial will follow at 3:00 PM in the Muhlenberg-Darbyville Cemetery, Orient, Ohio. Friends may call at the funeral home Thursday, 5:00 – 8:00 PM.