of Conway, AR
March 2, 1949 - April 5, 2024
CSM(R) Kenith Ray Bixler, 75, of Conway, Arkansas passed away peacefully at home on April 5, 2024 after successfully battling cancer for several years. Kenith is survived by his wife Edra Jane Wade Bixler of Conway, and four children; Timothy (Nadia) Bixler of Puyallup, Washington; Christie Bixler (Joe Bell) of Syracuse, New York; Michael (Patricia) Bixler of Fort Bragg, North Carolina and Mark (Leslie) Lusch of Norman, Oklahoma. Kenith leaves eleven loving grandchildren; Ryan, Logan, Corinda, Triston, Seth, Evah, Kieran, Ethan, Audrey, Sydney, and Owen and eight great-grandchildren; Elettra and Ezra, Aiden, Brad and Cora-Jane; and Storie, Winter and Ezekial.
Kenith Bixler lived an adventurous life of service to his family, community and his country. He was born in Alread, Arkansas on March 2, 1949 to Coy and Juanita Bixler. He grew up with his beloved brothers James, Manuel and Benjamin on the family farm in Alread. At 17, he enlisted in the Army and served two tours in Vietnam, becoming a Drill Sergeant at 19 years old. He served in the Army for 28 years earning the rank of Command Sergeant Major and serving twice in combat earning the Bronze Star and Legion of Merit. In 1990 and 1991, he was the Senior Enlisted Advisor overseeing the largest military logistics movement in history during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. His duty locations include; Fort Lewis, Washington; Fort Polk, Louisiana; Syracuse, New York; Spokane, Washington; Wiesbaden, Germany; Fort Bliss, Texas; Bremerhaven, Germany; and Kaiserslautern, Germany in addition to serving combat tours in Vietnam and the Persian Gulf. After retiring from the Army in 1994 he continued to serve his country as the Assistant Regional Director for the National Civilian Community Corps in Denver, Colorado and later as the Regional Director for the NCCC at Perry Point, Maryland.
Kenith was an avid motorsports enthusiast who enjoyed traveling in his motor home, riding motorcycles of any variety, snowmobiles, and generally enjoyed going fast. He also loved to garden and grow his own food, an art he learned from his Mother. Throughout his life he participated in community organizations, he was a Freemason, member of the 4H Club, the VFW and American Legion. A graduate of the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy Class 32 and rode with the Patriots Guard Riders.
Kenith leaves behind a legacy of service that has seen two of his sons and four of his grandsons serve in the Army. He loved to tell people that the Bixler men have accrued over 70 combined years of service, and his youngest grandson Owen was denied service in the Army on account that he is only 7 years old.
Kenith spent his golden years traveling the United States with his beloved wife in their motor home, stopping to spend time with family along the way. You could often find him in his signature blue overalls in his garden, teaching his grandchildren everything he knew about growing the best garden. His family and friends will gather in Clinton, AR on Friday, April 12th to lay Kenith to rest and celebrate his amazing and impactful life. He will be greatly missed by those who were lucky enough to know him.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Wounded Warrior Project in his name. https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate
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14 Condolence(s)
Arlena Fay (Verser) Ernst
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
May God give you strength for you and the family at this difficult time. It is hard to loose a Love of your Life. RiP.
Tim Moynihan
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Heartfelt condolences to the entire Bixler family on Ken's passing. A life well lived, with family and service to our country in the forefront. A great legacy left behind. Regards
Jules W. and Cenobia J. Hampton
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Ken (Command Sergeant Major) Bixler,
You were a friend and a Brother to me (as we usually addressed each other in post military service) and I will miss you. We served our country together in the U.S. Army when we were soldiers and again as civilians in the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) after our military retirements. I depended on you in both and you never faltered nor let me, our soldiers, nor our NCCC Members down. Your experience and expertise in leading, training, guiding young soldiers as well as advising and supporting old soldiers was instrumental in creating strong, capable, responsive soldiers and NCCC Corps Members.
I will miss you my loyal and trusted professional brother. It is now your turn to rest in the peace that you have won.
COL (Retired) Jules and Mrs. Cenobia Hampton
Denise
Thursday, April 11, 2024
All I can say is BEANS! More BEANs! And just when you thought you were done, here came more BEANS!
RIP Ken
Faith and Chris Bell and Jim
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Dear Ken and Jane, Though we are not real family we love you and will miss you Ken. As neighbors , we
Have been so blessed to have you as our kind and loving friends.
Crystal Chandler
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Rest easy Ken Thank you for all your service and for my freedom!
Rachael Lawrence (Bixler)
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Uncle ken was a very special man in many people lives. He changed mine. He and my aunt pam took me in as their own in 2007 after judge signed off they flew me out to Rising Sun ,MD to live with them. I lived with them until i went into AmeriCorpsNCCC 2010 at perrypoint, MD . Which he helped me get into. I am thankful for that. His nickname at home for me was "Sunshine" . I enjoyed every moment i got to spend with him growing up in his home. He took me in at a time in my life that i needed love . I found that in his home. He taught me so much about life. He always had the right words. He gave the best hugs. He is not biologically my dad. His brother is and although he took me in, he always told me " your dad Is your dad and I will never replace him. But I will always think of you like a second daughter. "I always respected that of him. And I will always think of him like another father to me. I am thankful to have had such an amazing man as my uncle . He will be missed by many but his life , accomplishments and the stories of lives he changed will be carried on forever. I love you Uncle Ken. Love your sunshine!
Terry,Barbara ,Blake williamson
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Prayers and Love sent to Jane and all of the family. God give you strength.
christina m bender
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
kenith bixler
is my cousin i finally got to meet him and jane 2018 i was gratefull to meet him
Rose Langston
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Dear Michael and Christie, I am so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. He was a hoot for sure!! I will always remember the visits he and your Mom made to our home through the years. He could crack you up with his jokes. He brought and taught us about the golden potatoes he always planted, and yes we plant them now. RIP Ken!
I send my deepest condolences to the family.
Markus & Daniela Abendschoen
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
We will allways remember and miss you.
Rest in peace Ken
Tom Bryant
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
It was my pleasure and honor to serve with Ken as pioneers in helping to create AmeriCorps NCCC, and further helping it to become the outstanding program it is today. We shared a common bond with several other Army veterans in the NCCC, as we attempted to shape and mold young Americans into “servant leaders”. Ken was on the ground, engaging with these volunteers daily. He was a patriot whose life was one that was truly, well-lived! His contributions to both the Army and to the national service movement were immeasurable! He will be sorely missed!
Tom Bryant
LTC (Ret), US Army
Jim and Tracy chandler
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Rest in peace ken. Jim and I will miss you.
Christie Bixler
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Dad, Thank You for the million and one lessons you have bestowed upon me. We had a rough go of it in the teen years but as much as I loved to hate you, I adored you and the security you brought to my life in every step. I always knew that if I didn’t totally disappoint you I was FAR ABOVE the acceptable moral level of society. I will miss your mumble on my phone. I will miss FaceTiming you and seeing your ear canal when you answer the call. Most of all… Thank You for making everyone in our family value biscuits and gravy on a Sunday morning! The fact that your kids and grandkids each have your basic recipe but with their own twist is something to be proud of! I look forward to seeing you again when my day is here. Love you.