Mr. Kenneth M. (Ken) Suffridge, age 86, of Rockmart, GA, passed away on Tuesday evening, August 22, 2023.
He was born on January 9, 1937 in Knoxville, TN, son of the late Hubert J. Suffridge and the late Frances Paula Suffridge, Needham.
He lived in Fountain City, TN where he attended grammar school through the eighth grade. He attended Buckroe Jr. High School and Hampton High School in Virginia where he participated and lettered in four separate sports.
He joined the United States Air Force on October 22, 1953 and served over ten years of active duty. After a nine year break, he joined the Georgia Army National Guard where he flew in the OV-1 “Mohawk” as a technical observer and eventually, after serving over eleven years he retired as a First Sergeant with a total of twenty-two years of service to his Country.
He was a highly decorated veteran, earning the highest peacetime medal awarded, The Soldier’s Medal for heroism by saving the life of a six month old infant boy from a raging house fire in Feltwell, England.
Mr. Suffridge moved to Aragon in September 2000 from Gwinnett County where he served as a County Commissioner from 1984 until 1988. He later became Mayor of Aragon, where he served one term. He also served as a Chairman of the Polk County Chamber of Commerce.
He had been a member of the Rockmart First United Methodist Church since 2001. He was a member of the chancel choir and held the distinction and honor of serving on every committee within the church. In addition, he served as Lay Leader and Lay Delegate to several annual conferences. He was also a Certified Lay Servant, and delivered several sermons at Rockmart, as well as many other Methodist churches throughout Northwest Georgia.
He truly led an interesting life, he was a renowned Emcee and served as the voice of the “Sky Soldiers” aerial demonstration team performing at air shows throughout the country. He was the voice of “Homespun” for several years as well as music venues at the “Rock”. He emceed over twenty “Miss America” preliminary pageants over a ten year period in several states. He was a longstanding member of the Rockmart Community Chorus.
Mr. Suffridge spent twenty-nine years as an insurance agent, owning his own agency and was a licensed FAA single engine pilot.
In addition, to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Dyke Harrison Suffridge; two siblings, both adopted: Rebecca Bolinger and Ronald Needham.
Survivors include his beloved wife of forty-eight years, Louise W. (Lou) Suffridge of Rockmart, GA; son, Darin Kent Suffridge.
Funeral Services for Mr. Suffridge will be held on Friday, August 25, 2023 at 2:00 PM in the Alvis Miller & Son Funeral Home chapel with Rev. Edward Murrey officiating. Interment will follow at Northview Cemetery in Cedartown with Brown – Wright Post # 12 American Legion Honor Guard providing military honors.
Ken’s nephews will serve as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, August 25, 2023 from 1:00 PM until the service hour.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks that memorial donations be made to Rockmart First United Methodist Church in loving memory of Mr. Suffridge.
Alvis Miller & Son Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Mr. Kenneth M. (Ken) Suffridge.
