Kenneth Lee Dement

He was born on February 13, 1933 in Poplar Bluff Mo. to the late Charles, and Ada Hudson Dement.

Kenneth had a massive stroke at the age of 51. Despite this, he always kept a positive attitude and worked hard to rehabilitate.

Kenneth had many accomplishments in his life and was most proud of his family.

He received many accolades for playing football. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1998, Southeast Missouri Football Hall of Fame in 1998, and the Sikeston High School Hall of Fame in 1997.

Kenneth played football at Sikeston High School and graduated from there in 1951. He continued playing football in college and became an All-American tackle at Southeast Missouri State University from 1951-1955. His number 40 jersey was retired.

He later returned to proudly serve Southeast Missouri State University as a member of the Board of Regents from 1976-1981, including the role as its president.

After graduating from SEMO in 1955, he was drafted by the New York Giants. Instead of continuing his football career, he chose instead to serve his country, and was a member of the United States Marine Corps for two years. He was discharged in May, 1957 as a captain.

Kenneth was a graduate of Washington University School of Law in 1961. He was engaged in a very successful law practice in Sikeston until his stroke. One of his most proud moments was being interviewed by Mike Wallace of “60 minutes” regarding one of his cases.

Kenny was involved in numerous community activities over the years. Among those were serving as commissioner on the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority and being a former city attorney for Sikeston.

He is survived by four sons, Kenneth (Drew) Dement, Jr. of Sikeston, MO., Jerry (Toni) Dement of Cape Girardeau, MO., MO. and Randy (Debbie) dement of Englewood, CO, Justin (Lynn) Dement of St. Louis; two daughters, Mary (Jim) Below of Sikeston, MO. and Laura Dement of Denver, CO; 13 grandchildren, Gabe (Jennifer) Dement of Sikeston, Erin Dement of St. Louis, Ellie Miller of Nashville TN, Lindsay (Josh) Miller of Jackson, MO, Jami Dement of Cape Girardeau MO., Bryan, Eric, Kevin, and Scott Dement all of Englewood, CO, Jenny and Audrey Keller of Sikeston, MO., and Tanya Harvey and David Berger of Denver, CO; four great-grandchildren, Karleigh and Tucker Dement of Sikeston, MO and Jackson and Kylie Miller of Jackson, MO.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Richard ‘Dick’ Dement, and a sister, Sue McCollum, and a daughter, Maureen Karen Dement.

Memorial Contributions may be sent to:

Southeast Missouri State University Athletic Department, Missouri Veteran’s home in Cape Girardeau or the Sikeston Booster Club.

Visitation will be held Monday February 18, 2013 from 5-8 p.m.at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel. A private interment with military honors will be held at a later date at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery