Kenneth Douglas Gammon

Kenneth Douglas Gammon passed away Saturday, March 6, 2021, at his home in Lakeland, Florida. Born on July 17, 1930, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to Richard & Gertrude Gammon. After living the first four years of his life in Vicksburg, he went to Flint, Indiana, to live with his aunt and uncle because of the death of his mother. His sister, Gloria, went to live with his maternal grandparents. After another four years, his dad remarried, and Ken went back to Vicksburg and entered the third grade. Ken’s education was obtained by attending Bible school in Flint, Indiana, grade and high school in Vicksburg, Michigan, and colleges in Lakeland and Tampa, Florida. Ken entered the military service in June 1948, soon after finishing High School, and completed boot camp at Great Lakes, Illinois. Ken was assigned many different duties and bases during the 22 years, 2 months, and 22 days of his military career. After Great Lakes came Port Hueneme, CA, Memphis, TN, Pensacola, FL, USS Mt. Olympus (AGC) - at Norfolk, VA, Naples, Italy, Washington, D.C., Argentina, Newfoundland, USS Cadmus (AR-14) at Norfolk, Key West, FL, Newport, RI (to charm school for 90-day wonders), back to Port Hueneme to CECOS and MCB-3 to finishing his Naval Career at MCAS Beaufort, SC, land Submarine Base, New London, CT. While assigned to MCB 3, LT Kenneth Gammon, served as Alpha Company Commander, during the Vietnam War in DaNang, RVN. Retiring from the U.S. Navy in September 1970, Ken had earned a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, accepted a position with the Florida Department of Transportation, and progressed to the position of Public Transportation Specialist III as Administrator for Aviation Programs. Kenneth is survived by his sister, Gloria Taylor, who lives in Three-Rivers Michigan. He also had a stepsister Kay that lived in Michigan that preceded him. He was the devoted husband of the late Betty Gammon and father of five children: Gail Stacey, Michael Gammon, Sandra Thorknorton, Gary Gammon and Debra Shipley. Gail, Michael, Sandra, and Gary preceded him in life. He is also survived by his beloved wife, Irene Jean Dumas-Gammon, three stepchildren, William, Robert, and Irene Jr., had two stepsons that preceded him in life, Daniel and Timothy. He is also survived by fourteen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren and his pet dog, Lucky Gammon, a Jack Russell Terrier. Ken was a very active life member of the Navy Seabee Veterans of America from when he was discharged from the Navy in 1970 until the present time, a member of the Highlands United Methodist Church, American Legion, Mulberry, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in Lakeland, Florida. Ken enjoyed golfing, did some roller-skating, was a religious gentle and loving person to everyone that knew him and loved seeing people smile by telling them his Energizer Bunny joke. Relatives and friends are invited to a viewing on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Heath Funeral Chapel, 328 South Ingraham Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33801. The Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at 10:00 AM at Heath Funeral Chapel, followed by a graveside service at 1:30 PM (including an Honor Guard) at Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd. Avenue, Bushnell, Florida 33513. A mask is required to attend. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Seabee Memorial Scholarship Association (SMSA), P.O. Box 667, Gulfport, MS 39502 or https://www.seabee.org/honor-memorial-gifts.