Kenneth Eugene Millsaps

Kenneth Eugene Millsaps, a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 26, 2024 at the age of 80. The son of Ronald and Jo Millsaps, Ken was born in Evansville, IN then moved to east Tennessee living in Oak Ridge and Clinton, TN. Ken loved living in east Tennessee and would explore and create things with his siblings. A good hearted teenager, Kenny was part of the first high school in Tennessee that was racially integrated. He felt strongly that everyone had equal rights and made sure that students at the school felt safe and able to learn. He graduated Clinton High School in 1961. The Millsaps boys were well known and would often venture to Oak Ridge. Little did he know that back in 2nd grade, Kenny would met his future wife, Carolyn Gardner. On one of the trips to Oak Ridge 8 years later, Kenny and Carolyn reunited, dated, and soon fell in love. They were married in Oak Ridge, TN in 1964 and are just shy of celebrating 60 years of marriage together. Mr. and Mrs. Millsaps began their life in Oak Ridge while Ken served in the TN National Guard and worked at Mid-South Pavers/Rogers Group Inc, a road construction company, a career which would last over 4 decades. Millsaps graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1965 with Bachelor degrees in Geology and Economics. While living in Oak Ridge, they had two daughters, Kim and Christi. They raised their girls to love Tennessee football and enjoy all that east TN had to offer. This was where the family went camping, spent countless weekends on Norris Lake on a friend’s houseboat, fishing at Fall Creek Falls state park, cheered on the Volunteers, had parties, and made lasting friendships. The family moved to Brentwood, TN in 1979. Brentwood was where Ken loved to play golf and could be found almost every weekend- in the sun or snow- golfing with countless country music stars. Ken had a personality that attracted many people and a smile that could light up a room, and a pretty good golf swing! It was always a fun time when Ken Millsaps was there. You could also find Ken videoing the Brentwood High School marching band. He would stand in the middle of the parade route with the band going around him or up in the stands with Carolyn cheering their daughters and the band on to victory. In 1988, the Millsaps family moved to Bloomington, IN with Ken continuing his job with Rogers Group. Indiana brought new friends and experiences such as his new love for Indiana Hoosiers basketball. In Bloomington, Ken created the Rogers Group go-cart race team. This team traveled around Indiana and Ohio competing and winning many races. Not only was Rogers Racing a fun adventure, they became family. Ken and Carolyn loved to host race parties for Rogers Racing as well as Indy 500 and the Brickyard 400. Racing was a huge part of his life in Indiana and brought many people together for a great time! Ken loved to go to NASCAR races and the Millsaps would travel around the US for races with friends and family. His dog was even named Winston and his grand puppy dog named Rusty. Ken loved showing off the dogs at races throwing the frisbee. However, the time in Indiana was not always happy. In 1989, Ken and Carolyn’s oldest daughter Kim was in a car accident and eventually succumbed to her injuries in 1996. At any time, Ken could tell you how many days it had been since Kim’s accident which was the hardest time for the family. Yet, it was this time that Ken, Carolyn, and Christi would become even closer. Family and friends were there with them every moment- good and bad- and for that, they have always been grateful. The Millsaps family would eventually move to south Florida in 1998 where Ken worked for Ranger Construction and also started a successful career in real estate working with Keyes Real Estate. In all of Ken’s jobs, he won many awards and was very successful with an incredible work ethic. In his time in Jupiter, FL, Ken saw his daughter Christi marry Michael Keavy and then gain his most proud title- Granda. His 3 grandkids, Clare, Max, and Mitchell Keavy, were the apples of his eye. He loved those kids more than life itself. He would take them fishing, camping in their RV, but the most favorite for all, were the countless trips to Disney. This was where they would go on golf cart rides looking for deer, explore Disney, watch movies, cook breakfast outside, and have s’mores. In the later years, Ken, Carolyn and the Keavy family (dogs Suzy-Q and Roxy) would live together on 3 acres and have the family compound they always wanted. Family, friends, a good time, and a good work ethic, were the most important things to Ken. Ken is survived by his wife, Carolyn Gardner Millsaps of Jupiter, FL, daughter Christi Millsaps Keavy and her husband Michael Keavy of Jupiter, FL, grandchildren, Clare Keavy of Sarasota, FL, Max Keavy and Mitchell Keavy both of Jupiter, FL. Ken is also survived by his brother Frank (Pamela) Millsaps, his sister Dana Millsaps (Todd) Davis, sister-in-law Mitzi Millsaps, beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. Ken was predeceased by his daughter, Kimberley Sue Millsaps, and brothers Joe Millsaps and Harry Millsaps. A Celebration of Life party will be held on March 9, 2024. Check out the following website for more information and to RSVP. Kenmillsaps.org The family is grateful for the medical teams at Jupiter Medical Center and Jupiter Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center for their compassionate care.

Kenneth Eugene Millsaps

December 19, 1943 - January 26, 2024