Mr. Kenneth Ira Thigpen

Kenneth Ira Thigpen passed away into the arms of his Savior on the morning of January 22, 2024. He was 98 years old, a few weeks shy of his 99th birthday, living independently in his home in Canton, GA. He longed to join his wife Kathryn who preceded him in death in 2019, and he finally did. Born in Florence, SC into a family with ten (10) other siblings, Ken lived on a tobacco and cotton farm. His parents were James Walter and Sally Tomlinson Thigpen. Ken moved away from the farm to Philadelphia after graduating from high school at age 17. He met Kathryn in Philadelphia, and it was love at first sight! They married on August 29, 1945 in Elkton, MD during World War II. Ken was active at North Atlanta Bible Chapel and could be called upon to fix anything that needed fixing. He was remembered as a kind, gentle man with a sweet spirit. One young lady said, “He always took the time to talk with me at church, even though I was an awkward teenager.” He was known for his great sense of humor. In 1955 Ken trained with IBM in Endicott, NY on time equipment and typewriters. IBM sold the time division to Simplex Time Recorder Company. IBM and Simplex transferred Ken to Columbia, SC, Savannah, GA, Louisville, KY and Atlanta, GA. Lois went to five different schools in the first grade! Ken worked with Simplex Time Recorder in various positions, but decided to start his own company in 1969, International Time Recording in Chamblee, GA. The company grew and moved to its current location in Tucker, GA in 1983 having expanded into parking control systems. Ken and Kathryn retired in 1992. ITR was run by family members until it was sold in 2023. Ken is survived by a daughter and her husband Lois and L. Michael Givens of Monroe, NC; a daughter and her husband Carol and E. Rodney Teat of Monroe, GA. Granddaughters and their husbands Julia Givens and Cary White of Charlotte, NC; Emily Givens and Philip Swindall of Charlotte, NC and Laura Givens and Daniel Ludwig of Alpharetta, GA; Tasha Teat and Matt Webie of Madison, AL. Grandsons and their wives are Rodney Jr. and Elizabeth Teat of Roswell and Joshua and Taylor Teat of Monroe, GA. Ken was blessed with 13 great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Life Service will be held in his home in Canton, GA at 10:30 am on February 10, 2024. Young-Levett Funeral Home, MONROE CHAPEL, 770-267-2642

Mr. Kenneth Ira Thigpen

February 15, 1925 - January 22, 2024

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Mr. Kenneth Ira Thigpen

February 15, 1925 - January 22, 2024

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