Kenneth Ray Ely

Kenneth Ray Ely, age 67, formally of Knoxville, TN, passed away Monday, July 18, 2016, at Bay Front Hospital in Port Charlotte, FL. Ken was a man of many talents with great knowledge and was always willing to lend a hand. His door was always open to anyone that needed help and he was known as the "go to" neighbor. No conversation was ever short in his presence and all of his friends enjoyed their talks and nicknamed him, "the mayor of Sherwin Road." Ken was born December 15th, 1948, in Oak Ridge, TN, to Herbert and Jessie Ely. He attended Claxton Elementary and Clinton High schools, graduating in 1966. He was a Veteran of the United States Army and served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1973. Upon returning to the states, he moved to Paducah, KY, and obtained a degree in electronics technology. He began his career at EG and G Ortec in Oak Ridge and became a very successful businessman after starting his own trucking company in 1984 (Ely's Trucking). After moving to the Karns community, he became involved in youth sports and guided and coached many young people in soccer and baseball. After selling his trucking company, he began a new adventure of moving yachts across the country from coast to coast. It was then that he discovered his love of Florida and decided to become a "snow bird." In 2012, he became a permanent Florida resident, where he enjoyed fishing, boating, Harley riding, going to the beach, and living the Florida dream. He will be sorely missed and is forever loved by his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Doug and Robert Ely. He is survived by his children, Monique Ely, of Knoxville, TN, Christopher Ely and wife, Megann, of Maryville, TN; fiancée, Debra Mead, of Port Charlotte, FL; sister, Marilyn Hudson (Dennis) of Powell, TN; brother, Sam Ely (Joann), of Alexandria, VA; sister-in-law, Cookie; niece, Stacey; and special friends, Brian and Alicia Hanson and their children, Olivia and Mason, who knew him as "Pop Pop." The family invites you to attend a receiving of friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 26, 2016, at Weaver's Funeral Home on Oak Ridge Highway. A service led by Pastor Larry Dial will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials to your local Humane Society or Disabled Veterans Association would be appreciated.