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It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Kenneth Ray Canterbury, 80, of Berea, Kentucky, who peacefully departed this life on Nov. 2, 2026.
Born on Nov. 21, 1945, in Bergoo, West Virginia, to Eddie Samuel Canterbury Sr. and Dora Ward Hamrick Canterbury, Ken graduated from Philip Barbour High School.
After high school, Ken worked in the Monongahela National Forest Service, where he fought forest fires and volunteered with the Emergency Squad in Randolph County in Elkins, West Virginia.
This was an era of his life which provided great stories to his grandchildren.
A proud patriot, Ken served his country in the Army National Guard (1986-2005) as a Unit Supply Specialist during Operation Desert Storm, where he earned the rank of Sergeant First Class. He was honorably discharged in 2005 and took great pride in his military service as he was frequently seen wearing his favorite Army veteran ballcap around town.
Ken was an active member of the American Legion Post 50 and spent much of his retired life surrounded by his greatest joys, his children and many grandchildren.
In his free time, Ken was also a member of the Ashburn Virginia Volunteer Fire Department and Red Lick Fire Department.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Delphia Berry Canterbury, with whom he shared 17 years of marriage, and his beloved third wife, Marlene, with whom he shared 10 years of marriage.
He was also preceded in death by his sister, Ruth (William) Coontz; brother Eddie (Jeanie) Canterbury; and grandchild, Ren Brown.
Ken is survived by five siblings, his sisters, Carolyn Canterbury, Dorothy (Bradford) Ware, Doris (John) McWhorter, Vicki (Bob) Clutter; and brother, Victor (Linda) Canterbury; his children from his first marriage, Teresa (Scott) Thornton and Kenny (Nikki) Canterbury; his children from his second marriage, Bailey Canterbury, Cory (Christina) Canterbury, Kevin (Kelsey) Canterbury and Kara (Jared) Brown; along with his stepchildren, Todd (Tuul) Poling, Cindy (Jeff) Cogley and Jodie (Kevin) Marshaus.
He also leaves behind 21 grandchildren, Jacob Thornton, Kenna, Natalie, and Braeden Canterbury, Cooper, Cullen, and Conway Canterbury, Locke, Theodore, Lenya and Caspar Canterbury, Poppy, Daisy, Ridge, Rosie and Lily Brown, Amara and Nara Poling, Aiden and Kameron Cogley and Hailey Marshaus, who brought immense joy to his later years. He is also survived by a wealth of nieces, nephews and cousins throughout West Virginia and the surrounding area.
Friends will be received at the Talbott Funeral Home, 56 N. Brandenburg Street in Belington, West Virginia, on Saturday Nov. 7, 2026 from 6 to 8 p.m. and again on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at which time a funeral service will be conducted from the funeral home chapel with Mr. Canterbury's son, Kevin Canterbury, officiating.
Interment will follow in the Fraternal Cemetery near Belington, where full military rites will be conducted by the United States National Guard and the American Legion Post 96 of Belington.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.talbottfuneralhome.com.
The Talbott Funeral Home of Belington is in charge of the arrangements for Mr. Kenneth Ray "Kenny" Canterbury Sr.