Kenneth Joseph Fussell

Kenneth Joseph Fussell (Oct. 2, 1934 – Sep. 24, 2023) lived a life of adventure, romance, hard work, and devotion to his friends and family. Born in Greenville, NC, and the youngest of three children to Johnny Andrew Fussell and Sara Elizabeth Tripp Fussell, Ken knew how to work the room – smiling and laughing – and offering help to anyone who needed it. He was so proud of his four years in service to the United States Navy and even shared videos with family of his military travels. He continued his education when he returned home, and married Faye Barkley in 1958. Several years later they welcomed a daughter, Elizabeth Ellen.

Ken knew the value of a dollar as well as the dedication and work it took to make it. He spent some time working for the Atlantic Coastline Railroad. Later his career in Raleigh took him from underwriting at State Capital Life Insurance to underwriting, policy issue, and supervisory management at Durham Life Insurance Co. To continue his education while working, he spent hours in evening courses at Hardbarger’s Junior College of Business, graduating in Business Administration. In 1981 he was promoted to Vice President of New Business at Durham Life. Ken retired after 31 years at Durham Life in 1992.

Ken was a neighborhood favorite with Ellen’s friends, playing kickball in “the circle” and riding bikes. He also was a great friend to animals, especially cats. All cats bonded with him immediately. Our cats would relax by sitting on his lap (and not on anyone else’s lap). He even rescued someone else’s cat from the top of a tree with a rope and bucket as the neighborhood kids looked on in awe.

Ken loved to travel and drove his family to California several times to visit his sister, Jean, and family. He was delighted to invite sister Carrie along during the family’s mountain excursions. Faye and Ken spent many weekends at their mountain villa and eventually bought a home and stayed a while to build lasting friendships.

In retirement, Ken did not slow down but continued to volunteer his creative carpentry prowess – flipping houses with friends, Jack and Betty Saul in the Virginia mountains. And when he lost Faye in 2020, he sold their house in Ayden and moved to an independent living community in Raleigh near Ellen’s home. In those two years we grew much closer, and yes, he continued to make new friends and build his popularity as the great guy who would help anyone and make people laugh. He even was making me laugh during his last days. I will miss him terribly, as I know all our family will.

Ken is survived by his daughter Ellen (ex-husband and current friend John Policastro), sister-in-law Jennifer Coleman (husband George), nephew Chase Coleman (wife Morgan and children Dash and Cora), nephew Hunter Coleman (wife Montana), nephew Fred Hallaman (partner Carol and her children Epiphany and Noah), niece LeAnn Hallaman Liberatore (husband Bill), brother-in-law Garry Blair, and niece Michelle St. Clair Blethen (husband Philip).

A Memorial Service, with Military Honors, will take place at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, 107 Louis St., Greenville, NC 27858, on October 8, 2023, at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to the SPCA of Wake County, 200 Petfinder Lane, Raleigh, NC 27603.

Services provided by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home and Cremation, 300 Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, NC.