Ken Gullette

March 6, 1934 - April 10, 2020

Our father Kenneth Eugene Gullette went home to meet his heavenly father on April 10, 2020. He was preceded in death by his father Lemuel Oswald Gullette and his mother Helen Agnes Smith Gullette, as well as his three brothers Robert, Francis and Richard. Tragically he was also preceded in death by our youngest brother Kenny who left us in 1980. Kenneth grew up in Lima, Ohio and was born at home on Bellefontaine Avenue. He attended high school at Lima South High where he left to enter the Marine Corps from July of 1952 until July 1955. He proudly served in the Able Company of the Marines 1st Division, 1st Battalion, 1st Regiment. He served in Korea for a year and a half from late 1952 until the spring of 1954. Our father received the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Korean Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal First Award and the National Defense Medal for the Korean War. Upon returning from the war, our father wed his longtime sweetheart Carol Ann Judkins, “Cookie” as always called her. The high school sweet hearts met while dad was the neighborhood newspaper boy. They were wed on December 19, 1954 and were married 65 years until they were tragically separated by death. Our dad, who went by Ken to family and friends, lived a varied life and always held interesting jobs along the way. Our mother used to joke that each of her children had a different father--the bread man, the shoe salesman, and the insurance agent. In 1960 Ken began working for Western and Southern Insurance Company and in 1963 asked to be transferred to Texas. His first position was in Beaumont where the transplanted Yankees lasted roughly 6 months. They quickly transferred to Galveston where they stayed for the next 46 years and raised our family. Ken sold insurance door to door until that was phased out and then he switched to security guard work. In 1971 he began working for National Security Consultants of Galveston Texas. He became Captain of Security and supervised other guards and security details across the city. In 1973 Ken began working as chief guard for Galveston Ship Building Company. In 1977 he attended the College of the Mainland where he was commissioned an official Security Officer by the State of Texas. In 1978 while he was at Galveston Shipbuilding he became a gantry/crane operator. The company was sold and in 1982 he went back to security work for Texas City Refinery in Texas City. In 1992 our dad became involved in the Galveston Historical Society. He volunteered as an eager and cheerful docent and actor at the Samuel May Williams Historical Home in Galveston. Ken finished is security guard career at American National Insurance Company where he retired permanently in 1999. Our dad was happiest being in charge, greeting folks and providing safety. He loved to cook and knew his way around his kitchen. His fried chicken was our Saturday night meal of choice until his death. In 1995 our parents were privileged to travel to Washington DC to attend the dedication of the Korean War monument. They attended a Marine Corps ball while there and enjoyed being amongst so many other active and retired Marines. It was a trip of a lifetime for our Dad. He then joined the Marine Corps League and was a dedicated volunteer for their Fallen Marine Program, a group that serves as honor guards at funerals of a Marine whereby they present the widow the United States flag. It was one our father’s most honored activities to attend and he often traveled far and wide to show Marine honor to other families. He always had his US and Marine flags flying proudly in his yard. Semper Fi dad, Semper Fi. After both our parents retired they bought a pop-up camper van and joined a local travel group consisting of other retirees. They loved pulling their rig around Texas and took their beloved dog Mykissca with them everywhere they went, making many friends along the way. While our parents lived in Galveston they were very active in their church, Zion Lutheran, and served there regularly until 2008 when Hurricane Ike destroyed their church home as well as our family home of 43 years. At that time they decided it was time to relocate to Corsicana to be closer to their daughter, son in law and granddaughters. Ken is survived by his beloved “Cookie”; his son Jon Michael Gullette of Galveston and his grandsons Jon, Ryan and Arik; his daughter Lisa Kay Updegrove and son in law John Updegrove of Corsicana and his four beloved granddaughters Elizabeth, Anna, Sarah and Grace. He is also survived by his dogs, Mitzy and Harlan, who will miss his treats and special meals, including his fried chicken made just for them. ‘Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid’ (John 14:27) AMP Rest in God’s peace Dad. Gifts to the Marine Corps League in honor of Kenneth Eugene Gullette is greatly appreciated.