I love you daddy merry  Christmas❤️  You’re the best man that’s ever been in my life I miss you so much!

Because of the internet I was able to learn of my dear mentor’s passing… I am so sorry to see this… I served with Ken Fender in the 35th Signal Brigade at FT Bragg NC… I was a young Ordnance CPT assigned to the BDE S-4 under LTC Fender… he was a joy to work for when you understood his style… he was fun and fair… he demanded and got the best from us… His finest hours were deploying with the BDE to Florida and then California, and supporting the BDE’s mission during Operation “Urgent Fury” Grenada…… I’m sure he would say the California trip was his most exciting because he was allowed to pilot a BDE owned Helicopter home…
I was with him for these and many other BDE events… I owe a lot to Ken and will never forget him… All the Way Sir!!! Rest In Peace… and thank you for all you gave me…

Ron Robinson
COL USA Ret. 
BMO
35th Sig Bde 
1983-1985

LTC Fender was my JROTC instructer for 4 years. I graduated from Walker in 2006.  No matter what he was there for me, even when i tried to push everyone away. He taught me more than he will ever know. I can say without a shadow of doubt if not for LTC Fender and CSM Hessler I would not be the person i am today.  Even after i graduated and moved states a way, i would come home every few months and run into him and it was like i never stopped being one of his cadets that he needed to look after. I know all of us cadets are better for having him in our lives. 

Big Dog we will miss you. Thanks for being a great neighbor and a good friend. You were always there to help us. Loved helping you on habitat homes. You taught Dana and me to hang Sheetrock. Heaven gained a special angel. We love you and will miss you. 
Janice Smith 

Col. Fender, such an awesome man. He was my ROTC instructor. His training made my military career a whole lot easier. He taught us how to take pride in our uniform, leadership traits, discipline. Outside of ROTC, he was still that great man, great family man.  In public, he called me by name, wouldn’t hesitate to extend a handshake, would always ask how I was doing. Some of my fondest memories was running into Col. and his family at Auburn football games. War Eagle!!! One of the highlights being in ROTC, when he would pilot the helicopter on our annual helicopter rides. He made it so much fun with the turns, the dives, also made us feel safe because we knew who the pilot was. We were his extended family, I looked up to him as a father. You will be missed Col. The things you taught me, not just in class, but in life, will carry on. Love you Col. Fender.

As an JROTC student from 1985 until 1988, Lt. Col. Fender was my senior instructor the whole time I was a part of the program. I was there when he arrived. I remember this larger than life man who treated every student exactly the same. He taught us how to march. He taught us how to take pride in the uniforms we wore. He taught us how to succeed and also, how to handle the agony of defeat in drill and rifle competitions. I remember my senior year in high school when I asked him to sign my annual. Graciously, he took the book and wrote something that I strive to live by everyday: "Remember you are always better than the circumstances surrounding you. You just have to make and follow the plan." Because of the guidance he gave, it help me get where I am today. Thank you, Lt. Col. Fender. You will be missed. Prayers to the family and may God give you all peace. 

OBITUARY

Charles K Fender

21 July, 1944 – 14 March, 2019

Kilgore Green Funeral Home

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