Ken Molloy (1933-2009)

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Ken Molloy, Air Force Veteran and Minister

MSgt Kenneth Lowry “Ken” Molloy, 76, of Hayward, California, died peacefully at home in his sleep after many years of valiantly battling heart disease.

Ken Molloy was born June 8th, 1933 in Hollis, Oklahoma to Lowry and Oleta Molloy. He grew up in a small town farming community, learning to drive, operate and maintain farm machinery and automobiles at a young age and showing great mechanical aptitude. He graduated from Hollis High School in 1951. Ken attended Abilene Christian College from 1951-1952.

He was a member of both the Oklahoma and Texas National Guard before he began active duty service in the Air Force in 1952. After completing basic training and technical school in aircraft maintenance, he was assigned to Carswell AFB, TX. It was there that he met the great love of his life, Mary Patricia Beard. They were married January 23, 1954.

Ken's distinguished USAF career took him to many parts of the world, including Morocco, Libya, Thailand, Germany, and many points in between. Ken Molloy retired from the Air Force in 1978 and he and Pat moved to California where he continued employment in aircraft, automobile, and RV maintenance. He and Pat owned several motorhomes and enjoyed travel to most of the 50 US states during their time together.

During his lifetime Ken also served as a part-time and full-time minister for many churches of Christ in the US and abroad. He had a heart for all types of people, leading a prison ministry with Pat in California for several years. Ken loved to sing and led singing at church from when he was a boy until he was in his seventies. At the age of 71, he completed 8 years of study and writing and published his book, Unity in Christ? A Historical Critique of Apostasy, Reformation, and Restoration.

In April 1998, after surviving three heart attacks and three heart bypass surgeries, Ken received a much-needed heart transplant at Stanford University hospital.

Between March and May, 2007, Ken and Pat completed a 10,289 mile dream trip by motorhome through 24 states and visited two great-grandchildren they hadn’t yet met.

Ken Molloy was survived by Pat Molloy, his loving wife of 55 years; sons and their wives, Mike and Susan (Estes Park, Colorado), Mark and Debbie (Tracy, California), and Glenn and Marta (Portland, Oregon. Ken proudly loved his 10 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Ken was preceded in death by his grandfather and grandmother, Edmond and Mary Molloy; his father and mother, Lowry and Oleta Molloy; and his sister, Nelda Glynn Molloy.

Ken Molloy's family and friends will celebrate his life in a memorial service on Nov 15th, 2009 at 3:00 PM at the Hayward Church of Christ, 22307 Montgomery Street, Hayward, California.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to either the Sunset International Bible Institute, 3723 34th St., Lubbock, TX 79410 or the Stanford Hospital and Clinics, Office of Hospital Development, 145A El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA 94025.

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