Kenneth W. Upton

Mr. Kenneth W. Upton, age 76, of Cedartown, GA passed away Saturday, November 28, 2015 at his residence following a six month illness.

He was born in Rockmart, GA on April 19, 1939 a son of the late Cecil Upton and Joyce Vancil Upton. Mr. Upton was a 1956 graduate of Rockmart High School and was a graduate of Jacksonville State University. He was a member of the Anna Kresge Memorial United Methodist Church of Cedartown.

Mr. Upton began his teaching career in Munford, AL and also served as a football coach. He served as the Head Football coach from 1966 until 1971 at Munford. In 1971 and 1972 he served as Principal at Munford High School. In the 1972 and 1973 school years he served as a science teacher in Villa Rica. His career would take him to Haralson County High School where he served as Head Football coach from 1973 to 1976 and then to Lamar County High School where he served as Head Football coach from 1976 to 1979. In 1979 his teaching career would take him to the Rome City School System where he taught chemistry until his retirement in 1992.

Survivors include his wife, Carol Farrington Upton of Cedartown to whom he was married on December 1, 1957; three children: David Upton and wife Lonna, Alexander City, AL, Jodi Upton, Rome and Mark Upton and wife Robin, Rome; five grandchildren: Kyle Upton, Charlotte, NC, Taylor Upton, Jackson Hole, WY, Lane Linville, Hazen Green, AL, Bailey Upton, Rome and Libby Upton, Rome; one great grandchild, Avery Upton, Charlotte, NC; one sister, Cecelia Derreberry, Myrtle Beach, SC and a niece and a nephew also survive.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. in the Anna Kresge Memorial United Methodist Church with Rev. Allen Carmichael officiating. A eulogy will be given by his son David Upton and additional reflections given by daughter Jodi Upton and son Mark Upton. Interment will follow in the Rose Hill Cemetery of Rockmart.

Mr. Upton will lie instate at the church on Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. until the service hour.

Pallbearers will include: Carl Ponder, Jr., Kyle Upton, Taylor Upton, Jacob Linville, C.E. David and Harry Petersmarck. Honorary pallbearers will include: Guy Rutland, Bill Kinzy, Max Bass, Billy Upton and former football players that he coached.

The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Alvis Miller & Son Funeral Home of Rockmart.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested memorial gifts be made to the Anna Kresge Memorial United Methodist Church or the American Cancer Society.

The Alvis Miller & Son Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements for the funeral of Mr. Kenneth W. Upton.