In memory of my Dad, Ken, a generous, friendly man with a wide range of interests and activities. He was born in Aston in Birmingham and moved to Burton as a toddler due to the war. He grew up in Shobnall St and wrote a vivid account of his early years which was posted on several local history FB pages. A talented artist, he painted all of his life; as a decorator in his day job and doing portraits and landscapes in his spare time. He worked for Edwards the builders, Severn Trent and latterly Repton School; did scenery for local drama productions and murals for family members. He married Delia in 1959 and moved to Carlton St, then Edward St and finally Burton Rd, Branston.
He started singing as a teenager, with his brother, Ray; then formed the Mark J 5 who morphed into the Semitones, playing working men's clubs, village halls and pubs. In later years he joined the Bill Bailey Big Band and Burton Big Band, and was a regular at Burton Jazz Club.
As well as painting, he kept chickens, exotic birds, tropical fish, koi carp and also played in bowls, darts and dominoes teams. It's fair to say that he packed a lot into his 87 years!
He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. RIP Dad.XXX
Steve Handsaker
12/05/2026
