Ellis Kendall Westmoreland

October 31, 1941 – November 1, 2026

Ellis Kendall “Ken” Westmoreland, 85, passed away on November 1, 2026, in Cibolo, Texas, just one day after celebrating his 85th birthday. Born on October 31, 1941, in the rural community of Pelahatchie, Mississippi, Ken was the son of a farmer and a homemaker. From those humble beginnings, he built a remarkable life defined by service, integrity, generosity, laughter, and an unwavering love for his family.

After graduating from Pelahatchie High School, Ken enlisted in the United States Air Force on July 1, 1960, beginning a distinguished 24-year military career. He served for 16 years as an Air Traffic Control Technician before being promoted to Air Traffic Control Superintendent, a position he held for the final eight years of his military career. He retired on July 31, 1984, having achieved the rank of Senior Master Sergeant (E-8).

Throughout his military career, Ken received numerous honors and commendations, including the Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Overseas Long Tour Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service Award, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.

His service took him around the world, often requiring considerable sacrifice and time away from those he loved. His assignments included Newfoundland (1965–1966), Vietnam (1969), Greenland (1974 and 1976), and RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, England (1980–1982). He also served in the Philippines and at bases in Biloxi, Mississippi; Minot, North Dakota; and Abilene, Texas. Through countless moves, deployments, and long separations, Ken remained devoted to both his country and his family.

Following his retirement from the Air Force, Ken returned with his family to the San Antonio area and embarked on a second career with the United States Postal Service. He began working as a letter carrier on March 30, 1985, and faithfully served his community until his retirement on February 29, 2004. Between his military and postal careers, Ken dedicated more than 42 years of his life to public service.

In retirement, Ken finally had more time to devote to the people and pursuits he loved. He was an avid fisherman, gardener, baker, and craftsman who enjoyed woodworking and leatherworking. He took pleasure in feeding the birds and squirrels, tending his garden, and finding ways to keep his hands and mind busy. His generosity extended beyond his family through his involvement with his church and his volunteer work building homes with Habitat for Humanity.

Ken also had a long and enthusiastic list of culinary loyalties. Among his favorites were enchiladas with chile con carne—particularly from Garcia’s in Schertz—Ding Dongs, Diet Dr Pepper, chocolate-covered cherries, soft peppermint candy, KFC, and a beloved chocolate concoction he called “Wonka,” made with Nestlé Quik. He was a devoted Dallas Cowboys fan and followed college football with equal fervor.

He enjoyed watching Jeopardy! and what he affectionately called Wheel of “Boredom.” When he correctly answered a question, he celebrated with a distinctive, exaggerated, wheezy exhale that was every bit as entertaining as the show itself.

At the age of 82, Ken discovered queso, and what followed can only be described as a torrid, clandestine love affair. His enthusiasm for the dish was so unabashed that those around him occasionally felt compelled to avert their eyes. It was a late-in-life romance that brought him considerable joy.

Ken possessed an extraordinarily sharp mind, a quick wit, and an endless supply of puns and gloriously corny dad jokes. His intelligence and humor remained with him throughout his life. He could be wonderfully silly, and he delighted in making others laugh—sometimes at his jokes, sometimes at his own expense.

Although he was a stern military father in his younger years, time softened his edges without diminishing his principles. He taught his children the importance of honesty, integrity, accountability, keeping one's word, and treating others with respect. He was a devoted father and provider whose love was often expressed through his actions.

His children will remember the dad who came home from the commissary with snack cakes and Pepsi, then sat on the floor with them for fiercely competitive games of Pong on the Atari. They will remember fishing trips to a well-stocked catfish pond, where he laughed as they reeled in fish after fish, never letting on that their success was becoming an increasingly expensive adventure.

Ken was generous almost to a fault, and he particularly enjoyed being the hero at family dinners by quietly—or not so quietly—picking up the check for everyone. Helping others brought him genuine happiness, whether through a grand gesture, a small kindness, or simply being there when someone needed him.

Above all, Ken loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandson. He was their protector, provider, teacher, cheerleader, and steady source of support. He would do anything within his power to help them navigate life's challenges.

There was, however, a longstanding family suspicion that his daughter-in-law, Evelyn, held a particularly exalted place in his heart. Much like George W. Bush searching for Michelle Obama at a public gathering, Ken could be found scanning the room, his head on a swivel, asking, “Where’s Evelyn?”—sometimes while completely ignoring the family members standing directly in front of him. Given that Evelyn is a fascinating Renaissance woman, the rest of the family graciously accepted their place in the pecking order.

Ken was preceded in death by his wife, Ann Humphrey; parents, John and Odell Westmoreland; sister, Sarah Westbrook; nephew, Larry Westbrook; beloved grandmother, Bessie Pace; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He is survived by his daughters, Lisa Tidwell and Donna McCutcheon, and beloved daughter-in-law, Evelyn Tidwell; Kaye Westmoreland, his friend and the mother of his children; grandchildren, Rebecca Torres and her husband, Christopher Torres, Connor McCutcheon, and Morgan McCutcheon; great-grandson, Nico Torres; nephew, Ricky Westbrook; and numerous grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces, great-grandnephews, great-great-grandnieces, great-great-grandnephews, extended family members, and friends.

Ken's legacy cannot be measured solely in years of service, medals earned, or jobs faithfully performed. It lives in the values he instilled in his children, the love he gave his grandchildren and great-grandson, the homes he helped build, the kindnesses he extended without expectation of reward, and the laughter he brought into the lives of those fortunate enough to know him.

He lived a life of purpose, gave generously of himself, loved his family fiercely, and never missed a good opportunity for a bad pun.

His kindness will echo through generations, his laughter will linger in our memories, and his love will remain with us always.

He is deeply loved, and he will be profoundly missed.

Visitation will be held at Colonial Funeral Home, 625 Kitty Hawk Road, Universal City, TX 78148, US, on November 18, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

A Committal Service with Military Honors will take place at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, TX 78209, US, on November 19, 2026, from 1:15 pm to 1:35 pm.