Kenneth "Jack" Jackson Radford, 73, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. Jack was born December 13, 1950. He was the son of the late Kenneth Earl Radford and Gladys Maney Radford. He was married to the love of his life, Emma Jean Carter Radford for 41 years.

Jack has been a lifelong learner. After graduating from Mars Hill High School in 1969, Jack went on to Mars Hill College to obtain his Bachelor's in Education. Upon graduation, Jack began his teaching career at Beech Glen School, where he taught History and PE. Outside the classroom he was a respected coach on the football field, the basketball court, and on the baseball field. He served as Athletic Director at Madison Middle where he also coached the first undefeated men's basketball team in 1992-1993. Jack touched the lives of many students during his 34-year tenure with Madison County Schools. After his retirement in 2005, Jack continued to teach in Madison County for several years and drove the Madison transit bus for years following retirement.

Jack was a lifelong member of Beech Glen Baptist church where he faithfully served in many roles. Jack was always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need and was generous with both his time and resources.

For 73 years, Jack called Paint Fork Road home and he was blessed to have his immediate family as neighbors. His life was centered around his family where he looked forward to holidays and family gatherings. Jack was most proud of his two sons where he would often be found on hunting and fishing trips with them, frequently joined by cousin Chris. Jack started his days visiting and storytelling with friends at the Wagon Wheel, going fishing whenever possible, and winning a few poker games here and there. It was important to Jack that his friends and family knew all of his stories by heart, so he shared them frequently with minor changes here and there to keep things interesting. He and Emma Jean enjoyed cross-country road trips with the camper in tow, stopping at every history museum along the way. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, his sister; Earlene Radford Davis, and his Uncle and Aunt; Carroll and Betty Radford.

Jack is survived by his wife Emma Jean Carter Radford, two sons, K.C. and his wife Maggie "favorite west coast daughter-in-law" of North Bend, Washington and John Radford and his wife Jocelyn "favorite east coast daughter-in-law" of Mars Hill: his two precious grandchildren Jaxtyn Maney Radford and Jarren "Bear" Wayne Radford. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Arthur Davis of Mars Hill; his nephew, Jeremy and his wife Kellie of Littleton, NC; great niece and nephew Adelaide Davis and Radford Davis; a cousin- who was more like a son Chris Maney and his wife Jane, and their daughter, Carrie; and a host of friends.

A funeral service will be held at 1:30 pm, Saturday, April 6, 2024, in the Robbie Capps Memorial Chapel of Blue Ridge Funeral and Cremation Service, with close friend and Rev. David Burrell, Rev. Shane Cassida, and Rev. Stanley Peek officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 12:00-1:30 at Blue Ridge Funeral Service. The burial will follow in the Brigmon-McPeters Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Jack's name to Beech Glen Baptist Church, PO Box 715, Mars Hill, NC 28754.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org.