He was a son of the late Roy Edward and Elsie (Lindsey) Gilkey, and was an Army veteran. Kenneth graduated from Caldwell County High School in Princeton, KY, as President of his Senior Class. He was a charter member of the Caldwell Co., KY Gen. Society, a member of Century Division (100 Div. Member), Tri-State Genealogy Society, Friends of Willard Library, Friends of Glenn Martin Genealogy Library, and Lifetime Member of the Butler/Caldwell Alum. Association.
Kenneth was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution – Ohio Valley Chapter, Evansville, IN where he was Chapter President, Registrar and Color Guard Commander. He was Indiana SAR District 4 Vice President and he served as Web-Master for the Chapter Website for 11 years. He sponsored over 90 members into SAR. He was an Associate member of Gen. Thomas Posey Chapter, SAR Mount Vernon, IN, George Rogers Clark, Vincennes, IN and a charter member of Capt. William Prince, SAR Chapter in Princeton, KY.
He was also a member of the American Legion Post 44, Newburgh, IN, and the Jim Pearce Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Princeton, KY, Alcoa 25 Year Club, and a lifetime member of the United Steel Workers Local 104 (Newburgh, IN). Kenneth was very proud of being a Kentucky Colonel. As a Genealogist, he compiled and published several family histories, including a two volume set on the Oliver Family. He retired from Alcoa – Warrick Operations in Newburgh, IN after 30 years of service. He was an avid fan of UK Basketball and NASCAR.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his first wife, Anna Jeanette (Childress) Gilkey; son, Shannon Wes Gilkey; brothers, Haydon Earl Gilkey, Gary Evans Gilkey; and sister, Elsie Wilma (Gilkey) Spinner.
Survivors include his wife, Peggy Dean (Childress) Gilkey; son, Dr. Chris Allen Gilkey (Alicia); grandchildren, Taylor Christopher Gilkey, Nathan Nicholas Gilkey (Brenna), Lauren Alicia Gilkey, and Lindsey Mae Gilkey; step-son, James Walter Barnes; nieces and nephews; brother-in-law, Brad Childress (Teresa); and sister-in-law, Ardel (Gardner) Gilkey.
Contributions may be made to Rehab Center of Evansville in memory of Shannon Gilkey or the Butler Alumni Association in Princeton, KY.
Friends may visit 1-6 p.m. Sunday at Alexander Newburgh Chapel, 5333 State Road 261, Newburgh, IN and 3-7 p.m. on Monday at Morgan’s Funeral Home, 301 W. Washington Street, Princeton, KY. Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at Morgan’s Funeral Home with visitation 10:00 a.m. until service time. Burial will be held in Meek Cemetery, Princeton, KY.
