Kenneth Thomas Iverson

Kenneth Thomas Iverson Sr. ARLINGTON -- Kenneth Thomas Iverson Sr., passed away suddenly of a heart attack on Friday, November 6, 2015 in Mansfield. Service: Visitation 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, November 17 at Wade Family Funeral Home, 4140 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington. Memorial Service at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 18 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1200 W. Green Oaks, Arlington with Rev. Brenda Beaver, Rev. Lyndon Damschroeder and Rev. John Han officiating. Memorials: May be made to the Salvation Army for the Christmas Angel Tree. Kenneth was born September 8, 1931 at Ada, Minnesota, the second of three children born to Orlando and Edna (Niebeling) Iverson. Ken served in the Army Air Corps during the Korean Conflict. He was part of a small helicopter rescue unit serving north of the Demilitarized Zone. The crew was told that one of their missions to locate an American, reportedly attempting to avoid capture near the city of Antung, was the deepest helicopter penetration of enemy territory during the war. This unit was later recognized as being the first of what we now refer to as Special Ops and immortalized in the book "Brave Men-Dark Waters." Helicopters and aviation were both a life-long profession, spanning over 50 years, and a special interest. In retirement, Ken enjoyed wearing his Korean War Veteran cap and was always humble when people thanked him for his service. In 1966 Ken married Audrey Sheppard on the Rock of Gibraltar, and together they shared almost 49 years of marriage. Because of Ken's job at Bell Helicopter, they lived in many places, including Spain, Germany, Okinawa and Morocco. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Tara Leigh and Kenneth Thomas Iverson II, and three grandchildren. Ken was predeceased by his parents, his sister, Lilly Ann Cook, and his niece, Tamara Gould. Survivors: Wife, Audrey; daughter, Tara Wester (Don); son, Kenneth T. Iverson II; grandchildren, Carleigh Nicole Shafer, Savannah Elizabeth Shafer, and Sean Thomas Shafer; brother, O. Marvin Iverson; niece, Connie Rieck (Charles); nephew, Kent Jensen (Maria); and great niece, Jade McNeil (Harry).