Kenneth M. Sokol, 82, of Fayetteville, TN, formerly of Fairfax and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died peacefully on September 13, 2013 at Huntsville Hospital, Huntsville, AL, after a long illness. Mr. Sokol is survived by his wife Bernadette; five sons, Steven (Lea) of Fountain City, IN, Mark (Teresa) of Eden Prairie, MN, Randall (Susan) of Killingworth, CT, Daniel of Fayetteville, TN, Douglas of Fayetteville, TN; daughter Connie (Jeffrey) of Lewisburg, TN; and brother Robert Sokol of Rochester, MN. He was preceded in death by his brother Roger Sokol. He was the proud grandfather of eight grandchildren: Brenna Martin (Jeffrey), Kelsey Sokol, Ashley Sokol, Stephanie Sokol, Olivia Sokol, Natalie Sokol, Lindsey Sokol, and Jason Payne; one step-grandchild: Quinton Allen(Emily), and one step-great-grandchild: Ella Allen.
Mr. Sokol was born in Vining, Iowa in 1931 to Lillian (Cecak) and Milo Sokol. He graduated from Norway, Iowa High School in 1948, and married Bernadette in Walford, Iowa on April 5, 1951. He was employed by Amana Refrigeration, Inc., Amana, Iowa in 1948. His first job at Amana was a press operator. He became a foreman at age 19, and then took on roles with increasing responsibility through 1979 when he was promoted to Vice-President & General Manager of the Amana facility in Fayetteville, TN. He held that position from 1979-1991, also taking an active role in the community. Mr. Sokol served as Board Member Union National Bank, Board Member of Elk Valley Cotton Mill, Board Member South Central Shelter, Chairman of City and County Consolidation Metro Board, Member Industrial Development Board, President Fayetteville Rotary Club (1997-1998). Mr. Sokol led the project to install tornado/warning sirens, was President of Parish Council at St. Anthony’s Church, State of Tennessee Waste water Financing Board member. Through his leadership role at Amana, he was also the driving force in arranging the charity concerts by Roy Clark and the Oak Ridge Boys, which contributed to the Lincoln County High School sports facilities. Mr. Sokol was promoted to Senior Vice President of Operations for both the Amana, Iowa and Fayetteville, TN facilities and relocated to Iowa on March 4, 1992. A State of Tennessee Senate Joint Resolution was approved honoring Mr. Sokol for his service to the citizens of Tennessee. In 1993 Mr. Sokol retired from Amana Refrigeration after 45 years, and Ken and Bern moved back to Fayetteville, TN to enjoy their retirement. He had a positive impact on the lives of many, and will be missed by family and friends.
Mass will be conducted Wednesday at 11 AM at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Fayetteville, TN. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be Tuesday evening 5-8 PM at Higgins Funeral Home
