Kenneth Jude Thaggard

Mr. Kenneth Jude Thaggard, age 79 of Murphy, passed away on May 31, 2011 at the Swain County Hospital in Bryson City. Mr. Thaggard was born February 2, 1932 in Neshoba County, MS to the late Marshall and Mary Margaret Haney Thaggard. Kenneth was one of 14 children raised alone by his mother after the early death of his father. He was a member of St. William Catholic Church in Murphy and one of Kenneth's sisters became a nun and went on to be an administrator for the Mercy Hospital in Vicksburg, MS. Later on after marrying Marjorie Dolloff Thaggard, Kenneth joined the Marine Corps and served his country during the Korean and the Vietnam Wars. During his service he was in charge of the schools on the C130 Aircraft and he excelled to the rank of E8 Master Sergeant, and he was the first Commandant of Marine Corps League1011 in Murphy after starting the organization here. After retiring from the Marine Corps with 25 years of service, Kenneth started working for Lockheed as an Engineer in Marietta, GA, where he retired in 1991. Kenneth and Marjorie started the Toys for Tots programs here in the mountains 14 years ago for Cherokee, Clay, Fannin and Polk Counties where Marjorie became the first NC State wide toys for Tots Liaison Officer serving over 5000 children a year during the early years until they split off the program into individual counties. In 2002 Ken and Marjorie were awarded the Volunteer of the year awards from United Way. He will be sorely missed by many here in Murphy. His memorial services will be for the family on Thanksgiving day in Senetobia, Mississippi when his children will return from Australia and Norway.

Survivors include wife, Marjorie Thaggard, three daughters, Karen Hills, Linda Harrington, and Debra Girard, three brothers, James Thaggard, Jerry Thaggard, and Steve Thaggard, three sisters, Pauline Brumfield, Janet Banks, and Patricia Farris, also five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

The Cochran Funeral Home of Murphy, NC is in charge of arrangements. You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.