Kenneth Orbison

Obituary: Kenneth Ray Orbison, Sr., 77, of Kannapolis went home to be with the Lord on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017 from CHS-NorthEast after a period of declining health. Funeral services will be held at 7:00 PM Monday, Dec. 18 at Central Baptist Church with Rev. Curtis Parker officiating. Burial will follow at Carolina Memorial Park at 11:00 AM Tuesday, Dec. 19. His family will receive friends at the church prior to the service, from 5:30 to 6:45 PM. Ken was born July 5, 1940 in Rowan Co., the son of the late Claude Orbison and Esther Thompson Lang. In addition to his parents, Ken was preceded in death by Millard and Myrtle Thompson; the grandparents that raised him. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Barbara Hardeman Orbison, his daughters; Debbie Orbison of Kannapolis, Angela Orbison Upright (Mike) of China Grove, his son Kenneth Ray "Kenny" Orbison, Jr. (Christina) of Concord, his grandchildren include Taylor Upright Chapman (Josh) of Kannapolis, Ragan and Myka Upright and Ava and Kyla Orbison, a special "grandson" Adam Plott of Kannapolis and many loving cousins. Ken was a lifelong area resident and long-time member of Central Baptist Church. He graduated from Landis HS in 1959. After a year away at college; he was drafted by the NY Mets to play Triple A Ball for 1 ½ years before being drafted into the US Army. After serving 2 years in Germany , Ken returned stateside and went to work for Food Lion and then Bi-Lo as a manager for 27 years, before retiring. He was best known for his involvement in local sports, coaching American Legion Ball and AL Brown football and baseball. He was affectionately called "Orbie" by the other coaches and athletes. Ken loved his wife and children, but his main enjoyment came from time spent with his grandchildren. He was looking forward to the arrival of his first great-grandchild; Berkley Kate Chapman, in Feb. Online condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com and in lieu of flowers memorial donations may be sent to Central Baptist Church 1810 Moose Rd, Kannapolis, NC 28083.
Visitation: 5:30-7:00 P.M. Monday December 18, 2017 Central Baptist Church

Service: 7:00 P.M. Monday December 18, 2017 Central Baptist Church

Interment: Carolina Memorial Park Kannapolis, N.C.