Kenneth Sides

Kenneth Carlton Sides, affectionately known as "Papa" and "Kenny," was born on May 1, 1947, in Sonoma, California, and passed away on September 16, 2026, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Kenneth was born to Dorothy Chastine and James Sides. He also shared a wonderful relationship with his stepmother, Earlene Sides.

He graduated on June 17, 1965, in San Jose, California. On January 16, 1969, Kenneth enlisted in the United States Navy. He served aboard the USS Kitty Hawk and was stationed in Guam, Vietnam, and the Philippines. He was honorably discharged on November 13, 1972. Kenneth remained incredibly proud of his military service throughout his life and served as commander of the VFW in Hobart for several years.

Following his military service, Kenneth managed Round Table Pizza in Santa Rosa, California, as well as a location in Denver, Colorado, before eventually moving to Oklahoma to be closer to his parents. In 1985, he began working as a bookkeeper and office manager for Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Hobart, Oklahoma.

Kenneth later began a long career with the United States Postal Service. He carried mail for 15 years before transitioning into maintenance, where he worked for another 14 years. He retired after 29 years of dedicated service.

On August 6, 1988, Kenneth married the love of his life, Barbara Baker Sides. He remained devoted and faithful to Barbara until his passing. Together, the two were affectionately known as the power couple, "Ken and Barbie."

Kenneth was known for his personality, kindness, tenderness, understanding, and the love he showed to those around him. He was an avid sports fan and proudly supported the San Francisco Giants, San Francisco 49ers, University of Alabama, University of Oklahoma, and Oklahoma City Thunder.

Music was another great love of Kenneth's life. He had an extensive collection of vinyl records and especially enjoyed Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Eagles, Neil Young, and countless other artists from the 1960s and 1970s. He also enjoyed collecting movies, Stephen King books, coins, and stamps, building an impressive stamp collection over the years.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his grandparents, Burbil and Ester Baldwin Sides; sister, Judith Bender; and brother, Larry Sides.

He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Sides; sisters, Linda Davis-Spinetto, Donna Jo Oliver and husband Rodger Oliver, and Kathy Greco and husband Sparky Greco; sister-in-law, Lorna Sides; children, Marcia Ryther and Michelle Gillion; stepchildren, Vanessa Porter and Larry Stewart and wife Barbara; grandchildren, Jacob Ryther and wife Lynsi, Krista Ryther-Perry and husband Zachary Perry, Chawn Torres, Amanda Gillion, Katie Gillion, Chris Porter and wife Skye, Colt Stewart, and Harry Peaslee; great-grandchildren, Tristan, Mason, Paislee, Adalynn, McCrae, London, True, Briar, Yvette,and Yvonne; nieces and nephews, Wayne Cryer and wife Ginger, Mark, Kim Hemstock, Gari Lynn Lawrence and husband Paul Lawrence, and Macie Cryer-McReynolds; along with countless grandnieces and grandnephews.

Kenneth will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and all those who had the privilege of knowing and loving him.

Funeral: 3:00 p.m., Monday, September 21, 2026

Ray & Martha's Funeral Home, Hobart, OK

Visitation: 1:00 - 8:00 p.m., Saturday, September 19, 2026

1:00 - 8:00 p.m., Sunday, September 20, 2026

Ray & Martha's Funeral Home, Hobart, OK

Family Visitation: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., Sunday, September 20, 2026

Ray & Martha's Funeral Home, Hobart, OK

Under the direction of Ray & Martha's Funeral Home, Hobart, OK