Reverend Kenneth Gray Fansler, 83 PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. - Rev. Kenneth Fansler, died in his home Tuesday, January 26, 2010. He was 83. Mr. Fansler was born in Winston-Salem, N.C. February 26, 1926. He graduated from Hanes High School in 1943, serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II at Air Combat Intelligence in Jacksonville, Fla. He was a graduate of Salem College, Winston-Salem, N.C.; Wesley Seminary, Washington D.C.; and Duke Divinity School, Durham, N.C. He completed graduate study at Drew University, Madison, N.J.; Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn.; Crozier Seminary, Chester, Pa.; Princeton University, N.J.; and Perkins School of Theology, Dallas, Texas. Ken was ordained in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of The United Methodist Church, serving Central Church in Concord, N.C.; Christ Church in Greensboro, N.C.; Covenant Church in Springfield, Pa.; First Church in Corning, N.Y.; Aldersgate Church in Wilmington; Belle Meade Church in Nashville, Tenn.; and Belin Church, Murrells Inlet, S.C. He will long be remembered as an outstanding Youth Director, Christian educator, pastor, author and music director. Books include "The Orange Surprise", "Rainbows and Angels", and "Angels For All Seasons". He also published in Christian education, music, and worship in periodicals such as "The Church School", "Alive Now", "The Christian Home", and "Music Ministry". In recent years, Ken served as Associate Conductor of The Coastal Chorale. A member of the Western North Carolina Conference, he served The United Methodist Church at the national, jurisdictional, conference, district and local levels. Mr. Fansler was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 64 years, Evelyn Alexander Fansler; his sister, Helen F. McCracken; and his friend and colleague, Mary Lu Norris of Murrells Inlet, S.C. Survivors include sons, Robert Craig Fansler and his wife, Kathie of Winston-Salem, N.C., and James Keith Fansler and his wife, Donna of Marshall, Va.; daughter, Susan Carol Russell and her husband, Russ of Winston-Salem, N.C.; a brother, James Michael Fansler of Greensboro, N.C.; brother-in-law, George McCracken of Barhamsville, Va.; 12 grandchildren; and three step-grandchildren. A memorial service will be 2:30 p.m. Sunday, February 7, 2010, at St. Pauls Waccamaw United Methodist Church, Pawleys Island, S.C. Inurnment will be in Forsyth Memorial Park Cemetery, Winston-Salem, N.C. at a later date. Memorials may be made to The Coastal Chorale, c/o Ron Hileman, 9562 Indigo Creek Blvd., Murrells Inlet, S.C. 29576.