Kinchen O. “K.O.” Veazey, Jr.

DURHAM Mr. Kinchen O. (K.O.)Veazey Jr., 98, passed away in peace at Duke Hospice in Durham, NC on Thursday, January 9, 2014.
Born to K.O. and Ocena Veazey in Granville County, NC on October 25th, 1915, he spent his childhood and adolescent years on the family’s farm on Veazey Ridge in Granville County. While living in Granville County, K.O. Veazey met Lou Ellen Green, whom he married on April 9th, 1942.
K.O served in the Army Corp of Engineers in Guadalcanal and Philippines during WW II. Upon K.O.’s return from the war, he and Lou Ellen settled back into life in Creedmoor, and had three children, Otley, Douglas, and Linda. In 1956, the family moved into the home he built in Durham, NC.
K.O. worked most of his adult life in the tobacco business. He was co-owner of Wilkins-Veazey Tobacco Warehouse in Douglas, GA. He also traveled to markets in Ahoskie, NC, Tennessee, and Kentucky until he and Lou Ellen retired to their home in Durham in 1996. Lou Ellen and K.O. celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in 2012.
During his off-season from the tobacco market, K.O. chose to spend his time building homes in the Durham area and gardening. An exceptional carpenter and Mr. “Fix-it”, there was no home improvement task that he could not handle. Throughout the years, K.O. was always willing to help extended family members and his children with their numerous home improvements. He was significantly involved in building the homes of two of his brothers and his sons. He loved lending a hand to others in need.
K.O. was preceded in death by his wife Lou Ellen. He is survived by his three children: Otley Veazey and his wife Wanda; Douglas Veazey and his wife Gwen; and Linda Veazey Duda and her husband Turan Duda. Also K.O. is survived by his six grandchildren: William Veazey, Elizabeth Veazey and her husband Ryan Wishart, Scott Veazey and his wife Ashley, Amanda Veazey, Ellen Duda, and Aisander Duda and his wife Julie, and their children Elias and Gabriel Duda.
The family expresses gratitude to his loving and dedicated extended family and caregivers: Iris Bradberry; Carolyn Williamson; Louise Green; Betsy Hayes; and Duke Hospice staff.
There will be a visitation honoring Kinchen O. Veazey Jr. at Hudson Funeral Home (211 S. Miami Blvd) in Durham on Saturday, January 11nd from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m and other times at his home.
A graveside service will be held at Maplewood Cemetery (1621 University Rd) in Durham on Sunday January 12th at 3 p.m. Pastor Hope Vickers will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Epworth Care Group at Epworth United Methodist Church, 3002 Hope Valley Rd, Durham 27707. Online condolences may be made to www.hudsonfuneralhome.com