Kenneth Matthew Chance

Kenneth Matthew Chance of Stillwater, Oklahoma, was welcomed into Gods arms on Wednesday, July 8, 2020, with his loving family by his side.
Ken was born July 17, 1940, to Mary (Hawkins) and Charles Chance in Greenview, Illinois. Following his parents’ divorce, Ken received a bonus father in Ralph Fisher whom he loved dearly. Ken grew up in Owensville, Missouri, where he graduated high school in 1958. Afterward Ken enlisted in the United States Air Force where he dedicated 20 years of his life as a Chaplain’s Assistant where he was exposed to a variety of faiths. It was through his exposure to these walks of faith that Ken chose to devote his entire life humbly serving others.
After retiring from the military, Ken attended Oklahoma State University earning his degree in Business Administration. He was proud to gain employment with his alma mater where he served first as the Director of Affirmative Action later moving to the Compliance Officer for the Americans with Disabilities Act. Both of these careers continued his life in being of service to others. He was especially proud to be a part of the renovation design for Gallagher Iba Arena which allowed for access to those with disabilities as well as implementing the OSU wheelchair basketball team whom he traveled with and cheered on as often as he could! Ken retired from Oklahoma State University after 20 years and continued as a huge supporter of his team attending or viewing sports activities from baseball, football, men’s & women’s basketball to wrestling. GO POKES!!
In addition to God, family and OSU, Ken’s loves included Studebakers (his first car & restoring one to mint condition), numerous fur friends and his volunteer work with St. Andrews Love on a Leash. Ken was proud to be the handler of Rowdy who might have been the “World’s Oldest Therapy Dog” who sadly passed away last fall at the age of 23. No doubt most people saw Ken and Rowdy visiting residents at the nursing homes, shopping around town or walking in the OSU Homecoming Parade or at the local park. Ken adopted Amber earlier this year that he recently certified as a therapy dog and was looking forward to continuing their ministry to others.
Ken was a dedicated and loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather and always wore an infectious smile when he spoke of his family and what they meant to him. Ken was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Jean, who he called “the love of his life”. He is survived by his son, Jimmie Chance of Stillwater, daughters Kim Barwick and husband George of Wakita, Katina Smith and her husband Leland of Fulton, Missouri, as well as granddaughters Kelsi (Kade) Speir of Denton, Texas, Brandi (Taylor) Spunaugle of Sand Springs, and grandsons Micheal (Katie) Bollinger of Bakersfield, California, and Brandon (TaNeal) Bollinger of Stillwater. Lastly he is survived by his great granddaughter, the recent twinkle in his eye, Addarah Bollinger.
The family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the ICU staff at Stillwater Medical Center for the love and compassion they showed Ken as well as the family while he was in their care.
Services will be at the First United Methodist Church in Stillwater on Tuesday, July 14, 2020, at 2pm with Kyle Anderson and Cindy Robertson Riedel officiating. Service will be broadcast live on YouTube at https://youtu.be/FQAxturQWzM. Interment will be in the Pond Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, July 13, 2020, from Noon to 8pm at Dighton Marler Funeral Home. Dighton-Marler Funeral Home, Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Wilson Funeral Home, Pond Creek, Oklahoma, are overseeing services.