Kenneth Rex Beene

Kenneth Rex Beene, age 81, of Abbott, passed away early Wednesday morning, January 8, 2020 at Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Waco. A rosary will be recited 6:00 p.m Friday at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Abbott, followed by visitation until 8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 11, 2020 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Abbott, with Rev. Brijil Lawrence as celebrant. Burial will follow at Fatima Cemetery near Abbott. Kenneth was born May 26, 1938 in Shiloh, the son of Rex and Alta (New) Beene. He attended schools in Shiloh and Mexia and was a 1956 graduate of Mexia High School. He then received his Bachelor's Degree Agriculture Science from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville in 1960 and later a Master's Degree in Education. On August 25, 1962 he was united in marriage to Bernice Pustejovsky in Abbott. Kenneth proudly served his country in the United States Army National Guard. Kenneth was a true servant leader and was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Abbott. He was a grand knight of the Knights of Columbus Council #2305 in West and later joining St. Wenceslaus Council #11230 in Abbott; 4th Degree member in the Monsignor George Doskocil Council #2391. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #478, Vocational Ag Teacher Association, Hill County Go Texan Committee, and KJT Society #107 in Abbott. He worked for Abbott Independent School District for 42 years before retiring in 2002. Kenneth enjoyed hunting, fishing, cooking, playing dominoes, playing cards, visiting with his former students, and riding around looking around at area farms and livestock. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Ann David. Survivors include his beloved wife of 58 years, Bernice Beene of Abbott; a daughter, Donna Kay Ritchie and husband Alan Sr. of Waxahachie; a son, Kevin Beene of Abbott; his brothers, Dan Beene and wife Sally of Mexia and Bill Beene and wife Pam of Fairfield; his sisters, Elaine Huckabee and Debbie Beil, both of Mexia; his grandchildren, Lauren Ritchie, Alan Ritchie Jr. and wife Erica, Hannah Keeler and husband Garrett, Luke Ritchie, and Abigail Ritchie; a great grandson on the way; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Active pallbearers are Alan Ritchie Jr., Luke Ritchie, Phil Pustejovsky, Doug Pustejovsky, Brad Beene, John Jaska, Robert Huckabee and Ronnie Marak. Honorary pallbearers are all his former students and fellow Knights of Columbus members. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a scholarship fund in Kenneth's name to the Abbott Ag Boosters, Post Office Box 37, Abbott, TX 76621.