Bishop Funeral Home
Submitted by: Carol Spear Rice

© Carol Rice

Kenneth Hoyt Battles, 82, of Kiowa, died February 15, 2022 in Coalgate. The family will greet visitors from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Bishop Funeral Service and Crematory. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 18, 2022 at the Kiowa First Baptist Church officiated by Rev. Jim Ray and Rev. Danny Drake. Burial will follow at Savanna Cemetery with military honors provided by the Choctaw Honors Team. Pallbearers will be Brandon Battles, Alex Palmer, Cordell Palmer, Andy Palmer, Mitchell Palmer, and Brian Battles. Honorary pallbearers will be Andy Schnizer, Collin Palmer, Dave Thornburg, and the men of Kiowa First Baptist Church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kiowa First Baptist Church Kenneth Battles Missionary Fund, Matthew 28:19-20. Kenneth Hoyt was born to Archie "Bud" and Doris (Lenox) Battles on December 3, 1939 in Coalgate. He graduated from Savanna High School in 1958. He married Mary Alice Hogan on June 24, 1960 in Savanna. He obtained a Bachelor's of science degree in agriculture education from Oklahoma State University. Kenneth served in the US Navy with two years of active duty and six years of Navy Reserve. He served during the Viet Nam War on the U.S.S. Belle Grove in the Pacific and China Red Sea. Kenneth worked as a vocational and agriculture instructor and teacher for Kiowa school for 20 years, then as a conservationist and rancher for the Choctaw Nation for 15 years, and then in public relations for the Tenaska Generating Station for 16 years. He was a life-long rancher and was 7 years old when he got his first cow. Kenneth was an active member of Kiowa First Baptist Church. He served as deacon for over 29 years, Sunday school director for 35 years, and taught Sunday school for four years and bible study for two years. Kenneth served as secretary and promoter of the Kiowa Free Fair for 20 years and organizer of the Pittsburg County Fair for several years. He had served on the Pittsburg County Soil Conservation board for almost 20 years. Kenneth also served on the Co-Op and Farm Bureau boards. Kenneth is preceded in death by his parents: Archie "Bud" and Doris Battles. He is survived by his wife: Mary Alice of the home; son: Michael Battles and wife, Donola of Kiowa; daughter: Monica Palmer and husband, Calvin of Durant; grandchildren: Brandon Battles and wife, Breanna, Allison Schnizer and husband, Andy, Dave Thornburg and wife, Elizabeth, Dani Spencer, Megan Wesley and husband, Scottie, Miranda Lowe and husband, Kyle, Alex Palmer, Anna Sindland and husband, Ozzie, Callie, Cordell, Andy, Cammie, Mitchell, Moriah, Collin, and Ashleigh Palmer; brother: Walter Battles of Savanna; niece: Renae Jeffreys; nephew: Bill Taylor; and other family members and friends.