Obituaries

Kenneth Ray Bocken

Photo of Kenneth Ray Bocken
Kenneth Ray Bocken, 65, of Bentonville, Ark., went to be with Jesus on Monday, March 25, 2013, after a courageous and lengthy battle with Huntington's disease. Ken was born Nov. 22, 1947, in Hammond, Ind., to George Leroy Bocken and Cecelia Ann Krol Bocken. Ken was an athlete, playing basketball and baseball in college, and graduated from Hammond Morton High School in Indiana in 1966 and from Taylor University in 1971. Known by everyone as "Coach Bocken," he touched lives in a very special way from Hammond, Ind., to Cy-Fair High School in Cypress, Texas, (BFND!) to Decatur and Rogers, Ark. He was an avid college sports fan and enjoyed IU basketball and anything Razorback, and never missed a game. He enjoyed spending his time golfing, taking fishing trips with his coaching family and loved his lake house on Windsor. He was a very special "Papa" in the lives of all of his grandchildren. To the end, he was a loving husband, caring father, loving grandfather, brother, uncle, teacher, coach, mentor and friend. We will miss our "Coach" very much! We love you, Dad! He was an active member of First Baptist Church of Bentonville, Ark., for over 20 years. He participated in the church choir as long as he was able. On Aug. 31, 1968, Ken married his high school sweetheart, Carol Ellen Blackman. Their children are Tod Bocken and grandchildren, Hannah, Kayle and Chase of Monticello, Minn.; and Heather Bocken Campbell (John), and grandchildren, Haley, Jaden and Riley of Bentonville, Ark.; Ken's daughter, Tina Rivera (Brian) and grandchildren, Jessie, Vanessa and Madison of Highland, Ind. Ken is also survived by three siblings who continue their proud fight with Huntington's disease; brothers, Ronald Bocken (Patti) of Arden Hills, Minn., Wayne Bocken of St. Paul, Minn.; and sister, Kathleen Bocken Navarro, (Darrell) of Munster, Ind. Ken was cherished by all his nieces, nephews and cousins; and special thanks belong to Ron and Suzy Hubbard of Centerton and Mike and Tammy Boenne of Bentonville for the extra time and care they spent with their Uncle Ken. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 28, 2013, at First Baptist Church in Bentonville. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, March 29, 2013, at First Baptist Church in Bentonville, with Bro. Phillip W. Smith officiating. Burial will be in Bella Vista Cemetery. The family would like to express their gratitude to Jamestown Nursing Center for their love and compassionate care shown to Coach over the last 18 months. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in the name of "Coach Bocken" to Community First Bank, 198 Slack Street, Pea Ridge, AR 72751, for a special memorial gift that will be given to the Jamestown residents. Arrangements have been entrusted to Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services of Rogers. Words of comfort may be expressed or memories shared at stockdalefuneral.com.

Published March 27, 2013

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