TUSCALOOSA – Kenneth John Tobola, age 93, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., passed away January 11, 2019. The visitation will be from 3 – 6 p.m. Sunday, January 20, 2019, at Sunset Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. on Monday, January 21, 2019, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with Father Michael Deering officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park with Sunset Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing.
Ken was born on July 7, 1925 in Laurium, Mich. He was the son of the late Edmund Zigmund Tobola and Frances Helen Ernat Tobola. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Patty Paterson Tobola; sisters, Teddie Bartlett, Elizabeth Scott and Evelyn Scott.
Ken worked his way through college by serving as Chief Purser on the SS North American cruise ship on the Great Lakes. He received a B.S. degree from the University of Detroit and was awarded a full scholarship to the Harvard MBA School.
Ken served his country in the Korean War during 1951-1953. He was commanding officer, in combat, of an ambulance company which evacuated soldiers to medical facilities.
Ken started his career with TRW, an aerospace company in Euclid, Ohio in 1954, moved to United Aircraft, Inc. in Glastonbury, Conn. in 1969, then to Gulf States Paper Corporation in Tuscaloosa, Ala., in 1974, where he retired in 1990. During those years, he started two businesses of his own, International Wine Consultant, Inc. and International Gemstone, Inc., which united two of his personal interests with his passion for travel.
After 1990, Ken spent most of his years traveling to a hundred different countries in the spirit of adventure and as he said, "riding the edge in dangerous geographical and political places."
In 2006 at the age of 80, he embarked on a new adventure; he married Mary Elaine Leyden, whom he always referred to as "his child bride".
Ken had many varied interests and passions. He was on the board of directors of Tuscaloosa International Friends, and worked with faculty and students at The University of Alabama in the Computer Based Honors Program beginning in 1990. Thirty-five bright students have been the recipient of the Ken Tobola Scholarship for an Outstanding Research Project in this program. He was a very special mentor to many students and small business owners and made a tremendous difference and impact in their lives.
Faith and spirituality were the driving force throughout all Ken's life. He always seemed to see the good in everyone and every day, according to Ken, was "the best day of my life".
Ken is survived by his wife, Mary Elaine Leyden; daughters, Karen Greene (Rik), Lynn Tobola (David), Ann Tobola (Jack) and Jennifer McKeon (Mike); two stepchildren, Lisa Hord (Carter) and Christopher Hutt; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; sister, Colette Coomes (Jerry); brother-in-law, Frank C. Leyden.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to all of those who cared for Ken, including: LaTonya Taylor, Diane Walker, the wonderful staff, nurses and CNA's at Forest Manor and Alabama Hospice Care. To his faithful "Band of Brothers" and many friends who always lifted his spirits with their prayers, calls and visits, the family sends their eternal thanks and love.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 733 James I. Harrison, Jr. Parkway East, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405 or to the Computer Based Honors Program at The University of Alabama.
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