Kenneth Emfinger

Funeral services for Kenneth Ray Emfinger, age 84 of Urania will be held at 12:00 Noon on Monday January 23, 2023 from the sanctuary of Tullos First Baptist Church with Pastor Scott Smith officiating. Interment will follow in the Pine Hill Cemetery at Urania, under direction of Riser & Son  Funeral Home of Olla. The Emfinger Family will host visitation at the church on Monday from 10:00 AM until time of service at the church.

Kenneth Ray Emfinger was born on July 22, 1938, at Newellton, LA to the union of his parents William Sidney Emfinger and Ida Virginia Smith Emfinger. He passed peacefully from this life on Thursday, January 19, 2023, at his residence in Urania, LA. 

Kenneth grew up on the family farm in Tensas Parish and graduated from Newellton High School in 1956. He then served in the US Navy for four years. Of his time in the Navy, he said “saw the world, loved it”. 
He was a Deacon and active member of Tullos First Baptist Church. He was known for his friendliness and his ability to shake hands, hug and greet people attending church. It was very important to him to make people feel welcome to worship their Lord. 

Kenneth was a lifelong outdoorsman. As a young man he spent many happy hours fishing with his father on the Tensas River and hunting and fishing with friends and family in Tensas Parish. After moving to Lasalle Parish he continued hunting and fishing and in later years greatly enjoyed spending time with his fishing buddies Paul Jones and the late Doug Winberry. He was also grateful for the friendship and help of his friends, Michael Lee McDaniel, and Larry Powell. 

Reflecting back on his life shortly before his passing, he said, referring to his father, “everyone knew him, everyone loved him, and that’s how I tried to be”.

He was preceded in death by his parents and by his siblings, Sidney Claudis “Red” Emfinger, Loyce Virginia Dixon Mason, Dorothy Edith Dixon Bacle, Maida Lillian Dixon Arnold, Ina Marie Dixon Arnold, William Marion “Sonny” Dixon, Jr., Hilary “Pete” Dixon, and William Sidney Emfinger. 

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Sherlene Jameson Emfinger of Urania, two daughters, Holly Johnston (Henry) of Golden Colorado, and Michelle Emfinger (Clare Rogan) of Detroit, Michigan; four grandchildren, Conner Johnston (Viviane) of San Jose, California., Savannah Johnston of Bozeman, Montana, Max and Stella Rogan, both of Detroit, Michigan. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephew.

Serving as pallbearers will be Deacons of Tullos First Baptist Church including Larry Powell, Waymon Clark, Jonny Fryar, Tim Lasiter, Bob Lurry and Fred Book.

In lieu of flowers, any planned memorials can be made to the Tullos First Baptist Church Building Fund, Tullos, LA.