Kenneth Davidson Israel, PhD, 92, of Candler passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 14, 2022 at his home with his son Tim, his “Angel” Ann, and his granddaughter Emily.
Born June 15, 1929 in Asheville, NC, he was a son of the late Lewis Watson Israel and Mary Mable Davidson.
In 1954, he received a B.A. from Berea College in Kentucky where he also met his wife to be, Jewel May Baldock Israel. This was the same year that he was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served in the 322 Signal Battalion in Darmstandt, Germany during the Korean War.
In 1959, he continued his academic career and received a M.A. from George Peabody College for Teachers, and in 1970 he received his PhD from the University of Southern Mississippi. He had an extensive career in education as he taught in Brevard, NC, San Diego, CA, Dade City, FL, and finally in Jacksonville, FL before retiring in 1990.
He was also a published author for his works such as “The Children of Israel” in 1981, “Joshua Jones of the Misty Blue Mountains” in 2003, and “Stompin’ Around These Here Parts” which he wrote with his late wife and lifelong friend, Chester Hill.
He was a member of Piney Mountain Methodist Church.
In addition to his parents and wife, he is preceded in death by his sisters, Mary-Kate, Frances Irene, and Rosie; brothers, John and Lewis, Jr.; and other special friends and loved ones.
Surviving are his brother, Donald and his wife, Janie; son, Timothy and his wife, Ann and their children, David, Alicia and her husband, Michael, Michael, Justin, Emily and her husband, Corey, Timmy, Blake, Julie, and L.J.; daughter, Susan and her daughter, Betsy; great-grandchildren, Inman, Harley, Sawyer, Mayleigh, Piper, Autumn, Jordan, Sophia, Cassie, Elena, Conner, McKenzi, and Khylar; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends including his nephew, Danny Randall.
A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
Online condolences may be made at: www.penlandfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Penland Family Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the Israel family with arrangements.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Kenneth Davidson Israel, please visit our floral store.