Kenneth Patrick LuePhang, 79, 
of Ooltewah passed away Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at a hospital in Washington, D. C. after a brief illness. He was born on May 26, 1940 in Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies and spent 2 1/2 years in Hong Kong, and 6 months in China from ages 8-11. After high school in Jamaica, he earned his BS Degree in Civil Engineering at LSU (1962), a Master of Science Degree in Industrial Management (1967) and completed all course work for a PHD in Environmental Engineering (1976). He worked for 18 years withKe the Tennessee Valley Authority. For the next 30 years, Ken served as a Foreign Service Officer with USAID in Pakistan, Egypt, the Philippines, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria and Tanzania, as well as serving two years in Washington, DC.
Ken was an enthusiastic traveler and loved his family–always with a beautiful smile and willingness to help anyone. He dedicated most of his life to advancing global health, economic prosperity, and promoting democracy and governance to Africa. He was awarded a Heroism Certificate by the Secretary of State in 1998 for providing help after the US Embassies were bombed in Tanzania and Kenya. He was also knighted by the President of Madagascar and bestowed the title of Medaille de Chevalier de I’Ordre Nationale for dedicated and unselfish service.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Chin Choy Keow (mother), Lue Phang (father) and brother, Abraham (Abe). Survivors include his loving wife, Julia; son Kenneth Matthew; daughters, Shelley Elizabeth and Susan Lynn; brothers, Joe, Freddie, and Stanley; sisters, Margaret, Catherine and Patricia; many nieces, nephews, and friends; and colleagues from all over the United States, Tanzania, Canada, Jamaica and around the world.
A private graveside service will be held at the Matthews Cemetery in Georgetown. A memorial service will be held at a later date. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the LuePhang family guestbook at the Fike-Randolph & Son Funeral Home (www.fikefh.com).
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