We were saddened to hear about the passing of another Beach Music community member, Ken Hartsell. So many people have expressed their condolences across social media sharing stories about their friendship with Ken over the years. A visitation and service were held on December 22, 2021 in Kannapolis, North Carolina. A benefit concert for the family will be held on January 9, 2022 from 3:00-6:00PM at Ducks in N. Myrtle Beach. Artists and bands that are scheduled to be at the event include; Steve Owens, Bo Schronce, the Tim Clark Band, Too Much Sylvia, Sugarcreek, The Tonez, Southside Saints and Ken's cousin will open with an acoustic set. Jim Shafer will be the Emcee for the event. For more details you can call the club directly at: 843-663-3858 and it's located at: 229 Main St., N. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29582. Entry to the event will be by donation and it will benefit the family.
We send our prayers and condolences to Ken's family. We've included Ken's obituary for you below and a link to his online guest book located on the funeral home's website.
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OBITUARY:
Kenneth "Kenny" Wayne Hartsell Jr. went home to be with The Lord Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021.
Ken was a loving son, brother, father and friend. He was one of the best, most loved and revered sound engineers on the East Coast, with an impeccable ear and talent for making any artist or band he worked with sound incredible. Kenny touched so many with his deep care and passion for music. He began playing guitar and singing while still a teenager and, over the years, began mixing sound in studio, and live, for hundreds of artists. Even when he was just sitting around the fire pit with his family, playing guitar and singing, there was something so special in his touch and voice. God truly blessed him and his family with the gift of music and encouragement.
He was so very proud of his children, and they were his world. He was a wonderful father with a strong hand and soft heart who carried burdens and dried tears on his broad shoulders with love. Ken was a true friend. If you were blessed to be one of them, you know the love, care, and support he so faithfully gave. How in the world he was so loving and giving and caring to so very many people in his life, is a testament to his enormous heart and compassion. That kind and amount of love can only come from one source: God.
He loved The Lord. He didn't go around preaching to everyone, but loving everyone. And that was his testimony. He loved his family so much. His mother, father, sisters, and brother, as well as aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, and nieces were precious to him. He had a gift for making everyone laugh with his video chats, voices he did, and characters he created. He genuinely wanted nothing more than others' happiness; for them to be happy.
He is survived by his son, Trey Hartsell; daughter, Kadi Hartsell; their mother, Kathy Sides; mother, Shirley Hartsell of Midland; sisters, Pebbles Faircloth and husband, Keith, of Wingate, Stacy Troutman and husband, Dan, of Mt. Pleasant; brother, Phillip Hartsell and Candy, of Midland; nephews, Cody, Dustin, and Brandon; and niece, Heather.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Earl and Wallena Hartsell, and Ray and Ruth Nance; father, Kenneth Hartsell Sr.; and stepmother, Brenda Hartsell.
Pallbearers will be Trey Hartsell, Phillip Hartsell, Tony Hartsell, Brandon Wensil, Dustin Curlee, Dan Troutman, Bradley Swaringen, and Jonathan Treece.
A visitation and service will be held at Whitley's Funeral Home, 1748 Dale Earnhardt Blvd., in Kannapolis, Wednesday, Dec. 22, beginning with visitation from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by the service at 1 p.m., and concluded at the graveside located in Carolina Memorial Park, 601 Mt. Olivet Rd., in Kannapolis. A music industry celebration of his life will be held Jan. 9, 2022, from 3 to 6 p.m., at Duck's in North Myrtle Beach, S.C. Memorial arrangements to be announced at the service and celebration events.
Flowers may be sent to Whitley's Funeral Home. Cards may be sent to The Hartsell Family, 3139 Highway 777, Loris, SC 29569.
