Dr. Kenneth Lee Jeffery D.V.M. died on Sunday December 30th 2012 in Mesa, Arizona. He was 71 years old. Ken died from complications related to Parkinson's disease. He passed peacefully while surrounded by family members.
Ken Jeffery was born on December 7th, 1941 in Horton Kansas to George and Nellie (Keeney) Jeffery. He graduated from Horton High School in 1959 and was accepted at Kansas State University. He graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in 1964. He earned his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Kansas State University in 1966. He worked as a veterinarian in Kansas City Missouri while living in Overland Park Kansas until 1970. He then moved to Mesa Arizona and purchased Mesa Veterinary Hospital. He took a practice that started with two doctors and grew it into one of the largest animal hospitals in the country. He employed twenty four doctors with specialties ranging from cardiology to oncology. He was a past president of the Arizona Kidney Foundation, past president of the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association, past president of the Arizona Academy of Veterinary Practices. In 1980 he was named the Arizona Veterinarian of the Year. In 1983 he received the Outstanding Veterinary Practitioner Award, Western U.S. Region from the Animal Hospital Association. In January of 1983 he was appointed by the Governor of Arizona as president of the Arizona Veterinary Medical Examining Board. He was extremely proud to be recently recognized in the Horton High School Hall of Fame. Ken enjoyed fishing, camping and basketball. He loved to fly and earned his private pilot's license. But his true passion was his work. He was a dedicated and talented veterinarian and businessman. Ken was a man of strong faith and loved to serve the Lord.
Ken is survived by two sons, Alan Jeffery of Hiawatha and Eric Jeffery of Mesa, Arizona. Four grandchildren, Kathryn Bennett of Cabot, Arkansas, Daniel Jeffery of Aviano, Italy, Ashley Ulfson and Amanda Jeffery of Mesa, Arizona. Three great-grandchildren, Anders Ulfson and Audree Jeffery of Mesa, Arizona and Amelia Jeffery of Aviano, Italy. One brother, Dick Jeffery of Horton and three sisters Bev Stone of Hiawatha, Pat Banks of Topeka and Dixie Aarstad of Newton Kansas.
Ken is preceded in death by his parents George and Nellie (Keeney) Jeffery of Horton, Kansas and his grandparents C.H. and Martha (Shaw) Jeffery of Horton, Kansas and Samuel and Myrtle (Cumper) Keeney of Willis, Kansas, a niece Kystal Aarstad of Newton Kansas and a great nephew Logan Johansen of Hiawatha, Kansas.
A visitation will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday January 12th at Dishon-Maple-Chaney Mortuary in Horton, Kansas followed by funeral services at 11:00 am. Interment will be at the Horton City Cemetery.
Memorial donations can be made in his name to the Brown County Humane Society, and may be sent in care of the mortuary. A special message may be sent to the family at www.dishon-maple-chaney.com