Kenneth H. Killmaster

Ken Killmaster of Acworth, Ga passed peacefully, with his loving family surrounding him on April 20, 2012. He is survived by his beloved wife of 32 years, Reba Killmaster, sons, Jim E. Killmaster (Karyn), Greg S. Killmaster (Laura) and Rick L. Shepherd, four grandchildren, Catherine D. Killmaster Wise (Randy), Charlie Killmaster (Lindsey), John Killmaster, and Alli L. Shepherd, three great-grandchildren, Anne Michael Wise, Libba Wise, Evie Killmaster and special niece Sandy Larsen, and many other nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his parents, Ernest A. and Orpha M. Killmaster. Ken was a first generation American as his parents emigrated from Canada. In the early 1940's Ken Worked in Alaska on the construction of the Alcan Highway. During World War II, from 1942 to 1945, Ken served on the submarine USS BLUEGILL (SS-242). He was a "plank owner" (part of the original commission crew) and braved all six of BLUEGILL's war patrols. He was "Fuel King" on the BLUEGILL, responsible for the precious resource which made the forays into Japanese waters - and the return trip - possible. From 1945 to 1963 he was employed by Sun America in Cleveland Ohio, where he started his career in the consumer finance business. He was a Vice President of Operations and had offices in several states. He opened 36 offices for the company. From 1963 to 1973 he was Executive Vice president of North American Acceptance Corporation. The company was a leader in equity lending and home modernization financing. The company had customers in thirty-nine states. Ken was the founding President of Fidelcor Mortgage Corporation in 1973. He was the founder and first President of the National Home Equity Mortgage Association in 1974. He wrote the First Code of Ethics which was adopted by the Association. He was a Life Time member of the Board of Directors, an honor given him in 1982. Ken was founder of Mortgage Makers in 1983. He also was co-founder of Mortgage Lenders in 1987 and looking forward to semi-retirement with his loving wife, sold his interest in both companies by 1990. In 1991 he founded Arlington Mortgage. The company did consulting work for banks, savings and loan associations and equity lending firms. The company also created and held mortgages. Arlington was originally known as Mortgage Consultants. Mr. Killmaster was Secretary of the company and acted as Consultant. He attended Fenn College in Cleveland, Ohio. His past activities also include being a member of the Mayors Energy Conservation Commission, Division Manager for the United Appeal, President of Cleveland Finance Association, Director of the North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee Consumer Finance Associations. Ken was past President of the Georgia Remodelers Association, past Vice President and Director of the National Remodelers Association where he served as Chairman of the Finance, Legislative and Insurance committees. He was also active in the Georgia Industrial Loan Association, and the National Review Appraisers Association. He was a member of the Presidents' Round Table of the American Management Association. Ken was highly regarded in his professional life, but was more revered and adored for his family values and the love and generosity he has shown throughout his life to his family and to his friends. He will leave a void in all of the lives he has touched. Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 23, 2012, at 1:00 p.m. H. M. Patterson & Son, Arlington, 173 Allen Road, NE, Atlanta, Georgia, 404-851-9900. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made in Ken's name to the Alzheimer's Association @ www.alz.org or Alzheimer's Association, Georgia Chapter, 41 Perimeter Center East, Suite 550, Atlanta, Georgia 30346