Kenneth Vester Easterwood Jr.'s Obituary
Texas lost one of its greatest “pit masters” when Kenneth V. Easterwood, Jr. died on February 14, 2024. The man loved BBQ. In fact, he loved all food and was an encyclopedia of restaurants. If you were to travel to Istanbul, he’d know a place. He was never shy with his opinions, and we loved him for it.
Ken was born April 6, 1940, in Waco TX to Rosalie and Kenneth V. Easterwood, Sr. He led the all-American boyhood, and he was adored by his parents. He traded Waco for Lubbock when he left to attend Texas Tech University, and he fell in love with west Texas. He was a fierce booster of the Red Raiders and of his fraternity, Sigma Chi for the rest of his life. After graduation, he became the third in a long line of notable Easterwood architects.
In 1961, Ken married Jane Mabray [deceased], literally the girl the next door. They settled in Dallas to raise their family. Together, they loved to travel while sampling restaurants in every locale whether Jane liked it or not. He was a voracious reader, a jazz lover, a huge football fan and a snow ski enthusiast. He also loved to cook…and eat. He will be most remembered, though, for his love of family and friends.
He leaves behind son, Reed Easterwood; daughter, Camille Easterwood Kuzmick; son-in-law, Michael Kuzmick of Dallas, and two grandsons, John Kuzmick and Patrick Kuzmick. He also leaves behind multiple cousins that he loved like siblings.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation more information available at https://tpwd.texas.gov/business/donations/
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Share a story where Kenneth's kindness touched your heart.
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