Kenneth Lee Heupel

Our hearts mourn the loss of our father, grandfather, and lifelong educator, Kenneth Lee Heupel. Ken was born on July 1st, 1939, to Adam and Emma Heupel. He was the youngest of five siblings; Violet, Marvin, Lorraine and Leo. At a young age, he started showing swine with his brother, Marv, at numerous fairs and expositions. His passion for agriculture flourished and he decided to pursue a degree in Ag. Ed. from Fresno State.

While there, he met the love of his life, Marlene Joy Webster. They soon married and moved to Oregon, where Ken began his highly distinguished 60 year career in Ag. education. While in Oregon, their interest in the sheep business began. Soon after, they took the sheep with them and moved to Manteca, CA., where Ken continued to teach. Several years later, they moved to Merced, CA., where they began to raise their family before moving to Le Grand, CA, in 1979, to expand the sheep business and start a farming venture.

Ken was a teacher of teachers and had the opportunity to develop the next generation of ag educators, which was the pinnacle of his career. When he wasn’t in the classroom, Ken could always be found working on metal or wood projects in his shop. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, hosting holiday celebrations, and watching the 49ers and SF Giants.

He is survived by his two sons; Keith, wife Paula, and their children Alison and Koen; Scott, wife Jackie, and their son, Josh. He is preceded in death by his wives, Marlene Heupel (1986) and Sandra Oberti (2024).

Visitation will be on Friday, July 12th, from 3:00 to 7:00 PM at Stratford Evans in Merced, CA. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 13th, at 9:00 AM at Stratford Evans. Please join us for Ken’s celebration of life after the services at the Heupels: 2480 S. Burchell Ave., Le Grand, CA 95333 at 12:00 PM. Please RSVP to Keith (209) 761-9011 or Scott (209) 769-0210.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Fresno State Mechanized Agriculture Program. Please make checks payable to: Ag One Foundation (note Ken Heupel on the memo line). Checks can be mailed to the Ag One Foundation at 2910 E. Barstow Ave. M/S OF 115, Fresno, CA 93740 or gifts can be made at https://jcast.fresnostate.edu/agonefoundation/