On Saturday, December 19, 2020, Kenneth Burton Streater passed away at age 88 in his home surrounded by his loving wife and four children. Although he was dealing with COPD and Alzheimer’s disease, he was an inspiring, kind, funny and loving man until the end.
Ken was born on January 4, 1932 in Atlanta, GA to Walter and Edna Streater. He attended Mary Lin Elementary and Decatur Boys’ High School, received his degree from Auburn University where he was a member of Sigma Nu, served as a Marine during the Korean War, and helmed the family business, Streater Sales, Inc., until he “retired” and turned the business over to his son, Burton, to carry on. (He continued to go into the office nearly every day until recently.)
He was married to Joy Tasker for 60 years. They raised three daughters, Gay, Mary Lynn and Jan, and one son, Burton. He was a man of deep faith and a true inspiration of how to love and live one’s life fully.
As a life-long resident of the Decatur/Tucker area, Ken was completely devoted to his family, his church and his community. Early on, he was a member of the Dekalb County Jaycees Club. He was an early president of the Tucker Civic Association, President of Smoke Rise Elementary PTA and an active member of every PTA and school booster association there was. He served numerous leadership roles at Tucker First United Methodist Church, including the Men’s Club and as the Building Committee Chairman for the current sanctuary and children’s wing. He served as Poll Manager of the Tucker Precinct for 55 years and was recognized with Dekalb County’s designation of “Kenneth B. Streater Day” on June 14th, 2012. He was also honored as “Tucker Citizen of the Year” in 2007. He volunteered with Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, and was recognized by the American Red Cross for donating 168 pints of blood during his lifetime.
Ken had a multitude of talents, some of which were woodworking, bird watching, fishing, and stamp and coin collecting. He was a short-order cook, singer, dancer, Decatur Marching Band drummer, comedian, and baker. He was a member of the Georgia Seniors Golf Association and he and Joy enjoyed many fun trips with the group. He maintained life-long friendships and attended nearly every one of his kid’s recitals, concerts, track meets, soccer games and football games.
Ken is survived by his wife Joy, his four children, Gay (Steve) Young, Burton (Kim) Streater, Mary Lynn (Steve) Parker, and Jan (Tim) Mayheu, and 17 grandchildren. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, January 2, 2021, 1:00 pm, at the Floral Hills Funeral Home with a graveside service following at Arlington Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in support of NETWorks Cooperative Ministry, 2380 4th Street, Tucker, GA 30084 (https://www.networkscoop.org/donate).
