Kenneth F. "Ken" Fairman, 49, died Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009, at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, after a long battle with MS.

He was born Feb. 14, 1959, in Norfolk, Va., and was a resident of McMinn County since 1999. He was of the Lutheran faith, and was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving on the USS Charles F. Adams and participating in Operation Desert Storm. He was preceded in death by his mother, Helen Fairman on April 30, 2008; one sister, Lori Fairman Smith; and one brother, Steven Fairman.

Survivors include his father, Mancil F. Fairman of Athens; four sisters and two brothers-in-law, Kathy Smith of Athens, Frances and Ron Hein of Dillsburg, Pa., Mary Blair of Smithville, Texas, and Charolett and Mike Weeks of Hinesville, Ga.; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 8 p.m. Wednesday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with the Rev. Roger Fairman officiating. Burial will be 10 a.m. Thursday in McMinn Memory Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Those not able to attend may send condolences to mailto:condolences@laycock-hobbs.com