Kenneth Tollin

Kenneth Roy Tollin, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away Saturday, October 31, 2015 surrounded by his loving family.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, November 3, 2015 from 5:00-7:00pm at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home. Funeral services will be on Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at 1:00pm at Sunset Memorial Chapel with Kyle Rodgers and Clark Racca, officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Kenneth was born February 3, 1931 in Anoka, Minnesota to Carl Wilbert and Margaret Rella Kelsey Tollin. His family moved from Minnesota to Texas in 1934. Ken, as he was called by his friends, learned responsibility early and excelled in school. He was a graduate of Lubbock High School and served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. Ken was with Peters and Field Architect Firm for 30 years following graduation from Texas Tech University and an independent architect after retirement. He was involved in the design of more than 1200 professional projects in the Permian Basin. He designed John Ireland Elementary School, the first school built in Odessa with the new open classroom concept. It was at that campus he met his future bride, Betty Lou Bullock.

Ken was active in the Kiwanis organization and a member of the West Texas Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. In appreciation for outstanding service and organizing many golf tournaments for the West Texas Chapter of A.I.A. they established the Kenneth R. Tollin Scholarship Fund at Texas Tech University for outstanding junior and seniors entering the profession of architecture and architecture education.

Kenneth and Betty were married in 1960; through the years they have nurtured a fulfilling marriage that has been made even richer with the addition of two children and their spouses, Carl Sven Tollin and wife Melissa and Teresa Kay Long and husband Terry. They have six grandchildren, Tracy, Emily and Jacob Tollin and Kaylee, Ian and Leanne Long. Other family members include three siblings, Margaret Irwin and husband Boyce of Denton, TX, Carol Hester of Dallas, TX, and Ronald C. Tollin of Fiddletown, CA; four nieces and nephews from this group and sister-in-law Billie Merriman and husband James P. of Midland, TX and nephew LTC. Ottie Clay Taulman of Parker, CO.

While much has changed in the world over the past half-century, this devoted husband, wife and family have remained constant in their commitment to each other and the strength of their love has enabled them to meet life's challenges and opportunities with grace and optimism. Ken was a gentle man, steadfast in his values, engaged in life without fanfare, but with curiosity and respect. We will miss the wonderful caring ways of Kenneth R. Tollin.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Sunset Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home. To sign our website, please go to www.sunsetodessa.com.

Visitation

Visitation

Sunset Memorial Funeral Home
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
5:00 - 7:00 PM

Service

Funeral Service

Sunset Memorial Funeral Chapel
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
1:00 PM

Cemetery

Sunset Memorial Gardens
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762