Ken Daughtry's Obituary
Ken Daughtry, of Wheeler, TX, passed away Wednesday, April 8, 2026 in Amarillo, TX at the age of 77 years, 9 months and 15 days. It was Ken's wish that no public services be held.
Cremation and Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors in Wheeler.
Ken was born on June 24, 1948 in Guymon, OK to Thomas J. Daughtry and Opal Marie (Clay) Daughtry. A lifelong resident of Wheeler County, he graduated from Wheeler High School in 1966. In 1970, he began his career with Natural Gas Pipeline, where he worked in all operations over the years until his retirement from the company in 1998. He married Linda Kay Horton on November 25, 1977. She preceded him in death on July 13, 2019.
Ken’s greatest joy, though, was working in emergency management. He served 52 years with the Wheeler Volunteer Fire Department, becoming a valuable and integral leader in protecting and ensuring the safety of countless citizens across the Wheeler area. He was a member of the Panhandle Regional Emergency Management Advisory Committee and also served as Wheeler County’s Emergency Management Coordinator. Ken’s contributions had an impact that reaches beyond Wheeler county and even beyond the state of Texas. One of his greatest contributions was founding the Sweetwater Creek Fire Association, which was the first multi-state, multi-county firefighters association in the nation and is still active after 35 years. Ken’s sole motivation for all he did was his love and concern for his fellow citizens. Although he never desired recognition or praise, the Texas House of Representatives formally commended him for his service during the devastating Texas Panhandle wildfires in 2017.
Ken was also faithfully dedicated to the Lord was a very active member of the Wheeler Church of Christ. His life was lived in selfless dedication to God, Family and Community and he leaves behind an amazing legacy.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Opal Daughtry; his wife, Linda Daughtry; 1 grandson, Kenneth Daughtry II; and 1 great grandson, Axyl Leven.
Ken is survived by 2 sons, Kenneth Daughtry III and wife, Laura and Eric Daughtry and wife, Valerie; his grandchildren, Keana Daughtry, Lakeisha Applewhite and husband, Matt, Latham Daughtry and wife, Nikki, Heather Sachse and wife, Cydney, Willie Leven, Ellen Leven, Katie Sanchez and husband, Tim, Tristan Blanchard, and Erica Daughtry; 20 great grandchildren; 1 nephew; and numerous other family and friends.
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