Ken was the Founding father and CEO of Ken Freeman Outdoor Promotions. He grew up with a passion for fishing. At the age of 10, he and his dad fished the World Championship of Catfishing (WCC) on Pickwick Lake and won the tournament. At age 20, he fished the same tournament with James “Snuffy” Smith and won it again. After a few years of bass fishing, Ken came back to what his heart loved most which was catfishing. When he returned to the catfish world, he met with Bill Dance, Denny Halgrin, and a couple other interested people. They met with the Director of Marketing for Bass Pro Shops and The Bass Pro Shops Big Cat Quest (BCQ) began as a result of that meeting. Ken was not just about getting sponsors and directing fishing tournaments. It was not just about entertainment and attractions. Ken Freeman Outdoor Promotions put on an entire event to bring people fun, competition and fellowship, by using the ideas that bring everyone together.
Ken departed this life on January 20, 2018 in Jackson, TN at the age of 50 Years, 3 Months, 15 Days. He is survived by his mother, Katheryn Adkin of Selmer, TN; a son, Johnathon Walker (Tooter) Lipford of Michie, TN; a daughter, Emily Street and husband Cliff of Ripley, MS; a sister, Cherry Patrick and companion Ricky G. James, Sr. of Guys, TN; his companion, Laura Horton Canaday of Jackson, TN; aunts, Gloria Dunn Freeman, Wanda Sue Evans, Betty Saxton and husband Thomas, Carolyn Hensley and husband Russell, Mary Thacker and husband David; uncles, Bennie Parmely, Billy Parmely, David Parmely and wife Bonnie, James Parmely and wife Beverly; a granddaughter, Sarah Street; a host of nephews, great-nephews, a great-niece, and many extended family and friends.
In addition to his father, Ken was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ilene and Isaac Parmely, Edgar Ballard, and Walker and Vonnie Freeman.
