Kenneth Ray Reitmeier, 81, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019, in Childress, Texas, after a brief illness. He was born Dec. 6, 1937, in Tyler, Texas, to Alcied William and Mattie Eudora "Ruth" (Greene) Reitmeier. He married Jane Peters on Sept. 12, 1998, in Lee's Summit, Mo. Prior to that, he was married to Julie Reitmeier, the mother of his children, for 34 years. She resides in Greenville, S.C.

He served his country proudly in the United States Air Force for eight years. He has two sons, three grandsons and a granddaughter-in-law, all who have served or are currently serving in the Air Force. He was multi-talented man who had several careers. Some of the main ones were real estate broker, restaurant manager, department store manager, shoe repair shop owner, and office supply storeowner. He was a spiritual, Christian man. He loved to help people, whether through service to his country, church, work, community or by teaching others about Christ. Most recently, he was chaplain for the Childress County jail, teaching the inmates how to live richer, fuller lives. He encouraged everyone he met to appreciate and live life to the fullest, which he did to the very end. He was a friendly and outgoing man, and he never met a stranger. He spent a number of years learning hands-on health from the Cherokee Indians in North Carolina. From their teaching, he learned that Red Tail Hawks were very spiritual and he always saw many of them when he and his wife traveled.

He loved to have fun and to garden, and also enjoyed being around children and babies and watching them learn and grow. He was a sports fan and enjoyed watching the Kansas City Chiefs and the Dallas Cowboys. He had a love for music and sang with numerous groups. Above all else, he loved all of his family very much. He was a dear father to his children and "Gramps" to all of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, and a granddaughter. He is survived by his wife, Jane, of Childress; one daughter, Beth Corbin and husband Kevin of Franklin; two sons, Chris Reitmeier and wife Karey of Travelers Rest, S.C.; Danny Reitmeier of Franklin; one sister, Nancy Lewis of Northern Calif.; two step-sons, Randy Rister and wife Viva of Childress, and Lonnie Rister and wife Christi of Lubbock, Texas; 11 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; seven step-great grandchildren; and a host of extended family and friends. A Memorial Service was held Wednesday, Feb. 27, in Childress, and another to be held April 12 in Springfield, Mo.

A Memorial Service will be held at 3 pm, Saturday, July 27, at Holly Springs Baptist Church. Rev. Donnie Seagle will officiate. Military Honors will be conducted by the VFW Post 7339, American Legion Post 108 and Shaw Air Force Base Honor Guard.

The family will receive friends from 1:30-3:00 pm prior to the service.

Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.