Kenneth R. Lake, Sr.

Born in Columbia on February 25, 1946, Mr. Lake was the son of Alma Bowers Lake and the late Grover Elmer Lake. A 1964 graduate of Eau Claire High School, Ken was a 4-year veteran of the United States Air Force. He received an Associate’s degree from Midlands Technical College and completed coursework at the University of South Carolina. Ken worked all of his life in the grocery industry, most recently with W. Lee Flowers, Inc., of Lake City, SC, for the past 22 years. Mr. Lake was an active member of St. Andrews Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, a Sunday School teacher and in multiple other capacities. All who knew him will remember Ken as a man of integrity, of deep faith in God and devotion to his family.

Ken was preceded in death by his wife, Sharon Williams Lake. Survivors include his sons, Rev. Kenneth R. Lake, Jr., and wife, Christine, of Fort Mill, SC, Maj. Bryan D. Lake and wife, Stephanie, of Raeford, N.C., and Cpt. Russell W. Lake, M.D., and fiancée, Christina Hamilton, of Grovetown, GA; a daughter, Jerryellyn Lake of Columbia; sisters, Judy Lowder (Rodney) and Joyce Prince (Mike), all of Columbia; two grandchildren, Matthew and Abby; Orangie Williams of Irmo; and Tim and Kathy Williams, Chase, Jonathan and Victoria, all of Irmo.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to St. Andrews Baptist Church, 230 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC 29210.

From The State, March 30, 2008