Kenneth Witcher, Sr.

The last few weeks have been very difficult week for our family. Kent's dad, Kenneth, passed away. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in late March and was never strong enough to undergo any type of treatment. We knew that he was not doing well but we never expected him to be gone so soon.

Kenneth was a wonderful father-in-law but he was an awesome Papaw. From the moment we told him of a positive pregnancy test, he excitedly awaited the arrival of his first grandchild.

 

He took grandkids everywhere with him. If one of them was around, they'd head to the coffee shop, the hardware store or just go for a drive.

 

A coveted "job" was to ride around with Papaw during an auction. The kids were excited when Daddy and Unc got their auctioneer's licenses because that meant Papaw didn't have the spend the whole day selling!

Papaw and Nana always let the kids be involved in projects they were doing. Madisyn was about 2 when Nana made her a nail apron and the three of them converted a new sound truck. In the past year the kids helped build shelves and organize the shop, spread mulch, build a fence and numerous other smaller projects.

 

Papaw instilled a love of horses in all of his grandchildren but particularly Madisyn. Her favorite activity was to go to Papaw's house and do anything with a horse.

At charity auctions, Kenneth could barely sell an item without a helper. It's a wonder he made it through the first 50+ years of his life without the help of one of the kids! When Papaw was around his "little ducks" weren't far behind.

At his funeral, Uncle Jackie likened Kenneth to the Good Samaritan. I honestly had never really put it together but that is a perfect description of Kenneth. He was always helping someone and doing for others. He never turned down the opportunity to conduct a charity auction or feed someone a meal.

 

Kenneth Witcher, a lifelong resident of Wynne, Arkansas, went to be with his heavenly Father, Sunday, July 14, 2013, at the age of sixty-four. He was born on September 17, 1948, to Charles “Sonny” and Lillian Baty Witcher. He married Miss Vicki Lawrence on July 18, 1970.

He was a 1966 Graduate of Wynne High School, Broadway College of Real Estate, and Reisch Auction College. In 1972, he started Witcher Auctions, a professional full-time auction service, which is now carried on by his sons. He was one of the first licensed auctioneers in Arkansas, receiving License No. 46 in 1993, and was also a licensed Real Estate agent. He served on the Wynne School Board from 1992-2002, and served three terms as Cross County Judge, from 2005-2010.

Kenneth conducted hundreds of charity auctions including the Wynne Lions Club auction (nearly forty years); Fair Oaks Fire Department, Cross County Arts Council, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, and numerous other school, civic club and hardship benefits. He never turned down an opportunity to help someone in need, or to benefit his community. He was a “giver” in the truest sense of the word.

He devoted his life to his God, his family and his country. Since his retirement, his greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren, tending his horses, bush-hogging on his tractor, and piddling in his barn (oh, and watching cattle auctions on RFDTV while he rested).

Mr. Witcher was preceded in death by his father, and one sister: Barbara Tucker.

Kenneth is survived by his wife of forty-three years: Vicki Witcher of the home, Mother: Lillian Witcher of Wynne, Arkansas, two sons: Kenneth “Kent” Witcher, Jr. and his wife Stacy of Wynne, Arkansas, Kirk Witcher, of Wynne, Arkansas, one brother: Phillip Witcher and wife Vicki, of Wynne, Arkansas, one sister: Betty Atkins and husband Glen of Jacksonville, Arkansas, 8 grandchildren: Madisyn, Tyler, Griffin, Ben, Henry, Mary Claire and Liberty Kate, and one more on the way.

Papaw's Auction

Homemade goodies are always big sellers

Back in March, Papaw became ill. He was treated for Pneumonia but didn't get any better. More tests were ordered and he even lost his voice.

Even Mary Claire "helped" by providing entertainment  ;-)

It took some time to coordinate doctors and find one that would work with someone without insurance. He was diagnosed with Lung Cancer in April.

Our favorite auctioneer

Ever since I've been a Witcher, charity auctions have been a part of our lives. Kenneth has been doing them since he became an auctioneer in 1972. We always enjoy attending and occasionally manage to purchase an item or two.

Mammie and Mary Claire

 

Despite all the years of participating it charity auctions it was still a shock to have one benefit one of "us". The community support was and continues to be amazing.

Mrs. Jennifer and the smaller kids. Mary Claire is always so excited to see her!

Members of the community visited businesses and collected tons of merchandise. Ladies (and a few men) from all over the county poured time and money into homemade goodies to sell. Countless volunteers served food and prepared the community center.

We were so glad that Mammie and Granddad were able to come

Everyday we receive countless phone calls and visits asking about Papaw. The prayers and support have been overwhelming.

Henry {the cutest Ring Man I've ever seen} helping Unc take bids

I know many will never read this but I can't begin to express the gratitude we feel. We are so very proud to be part of this community {and always have been} and call it home!

Would he give

One of our favorite events of the year is the Fair Oaks Fire Department Fish Fry and Auction. It benefits our local fire department so it's even more important to us.

Papaw, Daddy, Unc and Uncle Phillip do the bid calling. The rest of us do the fish eating.

The ladies of the fire department prepare goodie boxes for the kids. They give out fireman hats, crayons, candy and fire trucks.

Throughout the auction the kids played with their trucks and colored pictures.

Henry really liked his fireman hat and has worn it daily ever since.

Liberty was all smiles they whole time! She loves it when people talk to her.

After Papaw called bids, Daddy and Unc had a turn. The Fire Department auction has lot of great items from toy tractors to seed.

One of the kids favorite parts of the auction is hanging out with Papaw. {Check out Mary Claire's pink hat!}

Lion's Club Auction

Papaw calling bids

Each year the local Lion's Club has an auction. Kent, his dad, brother and uncle all donate their services of bid calling. Local businesses donate the items for the auction.

Daddy ringing 

We started the night off with Papaw calling bids and Daddy, Unc, and Uncle Phillip ringing with the Lion's Club members.

Unc took bids as well

Uncle Phillip is part of the auction, too.

It's important to brush and floss

In addition to the auction. they also have a Fish Fry. We ate a late lunch so I didn't sample anything but the boys had their fill on pickles. My kiddos love pickles so much that Nana and Papaw have a pretty pickle jar setting on the counter at all times. Griffin and Ben asked if they could go back and get A pickle. I agreed. They returned with 15 pickles! They ate every one.

The boys

One of the best parts of the Lion's Club Auction is hanging out with Nana and Papaw. They know everyone, so there is always someone to talk with.

The girls plus Henry

I recently started color coding everything that more than one child owns. Even the youngest, who are no where near reading. know whose cup is whose based on what color it is. Thanks to Aunt Kristen we had snack cups in yellow, blue, green and red. I filled each person's cup (the girls already had cups but no boy colors) and when they ate their share, it was gone. I'm telling you, color coding is my sanity right now.

Unc calling bids

As the auction went on, Unc had his turn at calling bids. The only family purchase of the evening was fried pies, which Unc sold to us.

Daddy calling bids

The most expensive item of the evening was sold by Daddy. He auctioned off a diamond necklace. Needless to say, my jewelery box is not any fuller than it was before. ;-)



This video is only about 30 seconds so it should load quickly. Anytime we meet someone and they learn that Kent is an auctioneer, they ask if he can talk fast. Click if you want to hear Daddy "talking fast". ;-)

Would He Give . . .

Kent, along with his brother, Kirk, and dad, recently called bids for the Fair Oaks Fire Department's fundraising auction. We really enjoy going to benefit auctions and it was Mary Claire's first auction! She enjoyed being oooed and awwwed over and the other kids loved their goody bags.

I was so thankful that Nana kept up with Henry. He isn't big enough to "help" and I didn't have enough lap for him and Mary Claire. He's actually getting to the point where he's more jealous if Nana hold Mary Claire than if I do. LOL

I don't know what Unc would have done without Ben's help. ;-) Ben went on and on about how he helped Unc take bids. I'm so thankful for the relationship all our children have with Unc. He's really involved with what is going on with each of them.

Daddy, Papaw and Unc took turns calling and taking bids. Due to the generosity of the community it was a bit of a long night but we had a blast!

Christmas #2

Mary Claire wasn't much for partying at our Witcher Family Christmas but she was adorable nonetheless.

We spent a lot of time taking pictures. I'm amazed how much "family" our kids have. I didn't have any Grandfathers or great-grandparents growing up and my kiddos have two Grandfathers, a Great-Grandfather and 3 Great-Grandmothers. I want them to always remember their great-grandparents. I treasure any pictures I have of my grandmothers.

I think Mamaw looks a little scared in this one. Maybe she should be - Griffin looks a little shifty. ;-)

Griffin wore his white shirt and was so upset when he got there and Papaw was wearing a striped shirt. Papaw changed so Griffin could match and it made Griffin's day.

We had quite a crew for our celebration. Calen couldn't make it but we were so glad Uncle Phillip, Aunt Vicki, Brooke and Joey joined us. Aunt Vicki and Uncle Phillip amaze me at how involved they are in our kids lives (Aunt Betty as well - though she can't make it to as much since she doesn't live here). They really have a special bond.

How did Grandparents ever get to be old enough to be Grandparents without their Grandkids there to help them? :-D

Every year various family members ask for a Christmas list for the kids. My reply is always the same - Anything tractor related for the boys and anything horse related for Madisyn.

Aunt Vicki got Mary Claire an adorable monkey dress.

The gift of the evening was purchased by Unc and Papaw.

It was for all 6 kids but Madisyn was the primary gift opener.

A PONY!!! Skeeter had to spend a few more weeks being ridden so he would be ready for the job ahead of him! ;-) Madisyn has kept the picture close by and has shown it to anyone who would look. LOL

This is Griffin's default position at Nana and Papaw's house. That boy sure likes to watch TV.

Ty purchased a construction tool set for his brothers and set to work putting it together and showing them how it worked.

Safety conscious Henry, reporting for work.

Mary Claire found some calming activities to participate in.

Nana and Papaw enjoyed checking out everyone's favorite Christmas gift.

If we're ever attacked by aliens, I think I'm in good hands. ;-)