Obituary of Major Kindred Charles "K.C." Priest, USAF Retired

Kindred Charles “K.C.” Priest, Sr. passed peacefully from this life on October 2, 2024, at home with his family. Born on March 31, 1927 in England, Arkansas, K.C. recognized early in life that making something of himself would be up to him. At 17, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served two years on a Destroyer Escort during World War II. Upon discharge, K.C. transferred to the 199th Infantry Regiment of Louisiana National Guard where he served four years while also working at Bastrop National Bank. Some may remember the big snowstorm that almost closed Bastrop in the 1940s. K.C. had learned to ice-skate while stationed in Alaska, so he brought his skates to work, and was seen skating around the Bastrop square – one of the few who managed to maneuver through the snow. K.C. married Nell in December 1947. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1951 and they began a life of travel, moving almost every three years. K.C. worked his way to Officer Candidate School where he was commissioned as 2nd Lt. While stationed in Alaska, he built the MARS Radio transmitter which was used for communications between that site and Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage. Before retiring in 1969 as a Major, K.C. served in the United States, Europe, Viet Nam, and Thailand, taking his family with him as often as possible. One of their most memorable stations was three years in London, England. K.C. retired with over 24 years of combined military service. After retiring, K.C. did not stop contributing to society. He held a regional managing position with Mutual of New York, which saw them living in Ohio and Chicago, Illinois. After a second retirement, K.C. and his family moved back to Louisiana where he became manager of Morehouse Gin and Elevator in Mer Rouge. His work there made many local friendships and closed with his third “retirement”. He was a proud veteran of three wars: WWII, Korea, and Viet Nam, and was proud of having served his country. He wore his veteran’s cap everywhere he went and was often asked where he served. His reply was usually, “Which war?” It was a conversation starter for sure. His many hobbies included building and operating “HAM” radios, building and flying remote control airplanes as a member of BARCS, motorcycling (he owned several and could be seen and heard riding around town with a ballcap and fake grey ponytail while playing Willie Nelson on the CD player he installed in a particular motorcycle). K.C. took many motorcycle trips with sons Ken and Keith, and sometimes even with wife Nell, to Canada, the east coast, central and western states. K.C. was fascinated by electronics and built or added to his own computers. He also enjoyed snow skiing, traveling and photography. He built much of their current family home on Cleveland Street and helped several friends and family members with their own homes. K.C. often took an envelope of money to the church secretary, saying “Please see that this gets to …...….” , usually with instructions that he not be named. In later life, K.C. was an active member of Sunday School at First Baptist Church, where he often contributed to the lessons with his own observations (quite the surprise to his daughter Kanell). He loved music of almost all kinds, could sing like Jim Reeves, and had a dry sense of humor. His daughter describes him as a quiet, usually dignified man, who could write and quote poetry, but wasn’t too proud to don one of Nell’s formals so he could take part in a “womanless wedding” spoof on base while in England. K. C. was preceded in death by his parents, Burley Ozro Priest and Louise Whittaker Priest, brother Lloyd Priest, sisters Lois Priest Smith Freeman, and Margie Priest Hairston. K.C. is survived by his wife Miriam Nelouise Waddell Priest, daughter Kanell Priest Speirs, son Kindred Charles Priest, Jr., son Keith Alan Priest, five grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, five nieces, and three nephews. Visitation for K.C. Priest, Sr. will be Tuesday, October 8, 2024, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm with a short memorial service at 3:00pm, at Golden Funeral Home in Bastrop, Louisiana. In lieu of flowers, family suggests donations to First Baptist Church, Bastrop; Tunnel to Towers; or a charity of your choice.