Kenneth Vaughn Gleason, 89, of The Havens in Princeton, a former resident of 208 W. Broadway St. in Athens, died Friday, August 17, 2012, at Princeton Community Hospital. Born June 9, 1923, in Memphis, Missouri, he was the son of the late Vaughn and Daisey Fincher Gleason. Ken graduated from Northeast Missouri State Teachers College with both a Bachelors Degree and Masters Degree in Music Education. He continued his education attending the University of Southern California working on his Doctorate in Music. He faithfully served his country in the U.S. Army Air Corp during World War ll as a 2nd Lieutenant Bomber pilot in Germany and Italy. Ken began his teaching career in South Dakota before moving on to Bettendorf, Iowa. In 1955 Ken and his late wife of 65 years, Virginia Heimer Gleason, came to Concord College in Athens where he taught music education until retirement in 1988. He directed the Symphonic and Marching Bands along with the Jazz Band, “The Concord Commanders” for many years. His ability to teach and conduct along with his trumpet and piano playing skills led to a lifelong love for music that he joyfully shared with a countless number of students and fans. In addition to his parent’s and his wife one sister, Norma Jean Pence and two sons-in-law, Harold McKenzie and Doug Freeman preceded him in death. Survivors include two daughters, Kenna Sue McKenzie of Athens and Deborah Gleason Freeman of Princeton; four grandchildren. Dorothy Elizabeth “Beth” Crabtree and her husband Steve, Heather Lynne Huddleston and her husband Matt, Brian Edward Freeman and Matthew Kenneth Freeman and his wife Jennifer; four great-grandchildren, Carly Elizabeth Wade, Rebecca McKenzie Wade, Wyatt Ezra Huddleston and Owen David Freeman. Funeral services will be conducted at 12:00 Noon on Monday, August 20, 2012, at the Concord United Methodist Church in Athens with Rev. Greg Godwin officiating. Burial will follow in the Athens Cemetery. Friends may call at the Concord United Methodist Church in Athens from 11:00 A.M to the service hour on Monday. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kenneth V. and Virginia Heimer Gleason Scholarship Fund, c/o Concord Foundation, Box 1000, Athens, WV 24712.