Kenneth Hugh Pless

Kenneth Hugh Pless, 86, of Hickory, NC passed on Thursday, July 9, 2020 at Carolina Caring. Born on May 1, 1934 in Haywood County, NC, he was the son of the late Hugh and Pearl Sigmon Pless of Hickory, NC.

Ken graduated from Hickory High School and Lenoir-Rhyne College. He retired after 35 years with General Electric in Hickory, NC as a Computer Programmer and Systems Analyst. He was an active member of Viewmont Baptist Church in Hickory and began the Viewmont Baptist TV Ministry program in 1983. He spent his spare time videotaping weddings and social gatherings.

Along with his parents, Ken was preceded in death by his first wife, Rochelle Morrison Pless; his son, Kenneth Russell (Rusty) Pless; infant sister, Ivaline Pless; his brother, Harold Pless of Shelby, NC; and his sister, Linda McBride of Sherrills Ford, NC. Ken was the oldest of seven children.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Pierce Pless; son, Jeffrey Scott Pless and his wife, Linda of Hickory, NC; step-daughter, Giavanna Richards and husband, Robert of Raleigh; grandchildren, Jeremy Pless, Angela Pless and Austin Pless; step-granddaughter, Alicia Richards of Washington, D.C.; sisters, Rebecca Isenhour and husband, Fred of Hildebran, NC, Nancy Hall and husband, Michael of Lakeland, FL, Revonda Anderson and husband, Jack of Clearwater, FL; sister-in-law, Peggy Izzi of Raleigh, NC; brothers-in-law, Michael Morrison and wife Cindy, Randy Morrison; and a special friend of the family, Carla Schlucat Horvat and her husband, Curt of Overland Park, KS. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews Tamara Ison, Jennifer Hall, Matthew Isenhour, Cynthia Glover, Danny Isenhour, John Pless, Patrick Pless, Trent Morrison, Amanda Morrison, Corey Morrison, and Casey Morrison.

Mr. Pless will lie in state on Sunday, July 12, 2020 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Hickory Funeral Home. The family will not be present.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, July 13, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at Catawba Memorial Park. Dr. Andrew Rawls will be officiating the service.

Memorials may be made to the Viewmont Baptist Church TV Ministry 1246 2nd St NE, Hickory, NC 28601 and/or to Carolina Caring Hospice 3975 Robinson Rd, Newton, NC 28658.