Kenneth "Ken" Audie Parrett, 61, of Jefferson City, Missouri passed away Monday, June 3, 2019 at the Harry S. Truman VA Hospital in Columbia, Missouri following his battle with leukemia. Ken was born February 13, 1958 in Rolla, Missouri to Jeffrey Glenn Parrett and Kathleen Burch, both of whom preceded him in death.

He attended high school in Ft. Campbell, KY. Ken earned a Master's degree in Public Administration from William Woods University. He served honorably in the U. S. Army stationed in different areas of the world from 1975-1997 including serving in Desert Storm and retiring as First Sergeant. Ken served as director of the Jackson, Missouri Chamber of Commerce from 1998-2004; director of the Poplar Bluff, MO Chamber of Commerce from 2004-2007; the Moniteau County (MO) Economic Development Commission; and taught business courses at William Woods University from 2004-2014 and Columbia College from 2009-2018 which he loved doing. He also wrote articles in the Waynesville and Jackson newspapers sharing his experiences of the military and later published a book. Ken enjoyed playing golf and working cross word puzzles in his spare time.

Ken married Judy Wilson of Cape Girardeau, MO on March 28, 1998, who survives. Other survivors include sons, Adam Parrett (fiancée Trishia Emick) of St. James, MO and Bryan (Stacy) Parrett of Godfrey, IL; daughter, Jenna (David) Carter of Cook Station, MO; stepson, Sidney (Cassandra) Miller of Cape Girardeau, MO; sister Pauline (Chuck Knapp) Crews of Vichy, MO; stepmother, Florence Parrett of Mesquite, NV; mother-in-law, Donna J. Wilson of Jefferson City, MO; 12 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends; and his dog, Stella.

The Family received friends from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.  on Thursday, June 6, 2019 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 7, 2019 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO with Pastor Sam Roethemeyer officiating. Memories were shared by friend, David Hitt. Special music of "An American Trilogy", "The Dance", "When I get Where I am Going" and "Go Rest High" was played.

Committal prayer and interment with Full Military Honors were held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 7, 2019 at the Ft. Leonard Wood State Veteran's Cemetery.

Honored to be casket bearers were Adam Parrett, Bryan Parrett, David Carter, Logan Carter, Jeremiah Parrett and Tyler Parrett.

The Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, MO.