Kenneth Freeman Potter, 82, of Davie, FL, born in Providence, RI, December 1, 1939, passed away on November 9, 2022, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
As the child of a military family, there were two things important to Ken: his family and his country. After graduating from The Citadel in Charleston, SC, in 1961, Ken served in the United States Army as an Intelligence Officer from 1962-1964, before being honorably discharged as a Captain, and remaining in the reserves. He next completed law school at The American University in Washington, DC, following which he faithfully served the United States Department of Justice as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation for nearly three decades. During his service with the FBI, he made many friends who would become chosen family, eventually settling in Plantation, FL. Ken retired from the FBI in 1989, and became the Marshal of the Third District Court of Appeal in Miami, FL, until 2003. After his “real” retirement, Ken spent his time with his growing family, his lifelong friends, his Jeep, and his golf clubs.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Colonel Kenneth and Dorothy Potter. He is survived by his wife of 54-years, Maggie, who he married in April of 1968 in Alexandria, VA, after falling in love with her at first sight. She faithfully remained by his side until the very end. He is also survived by his daughters, Debbie Klauber (Adam) and Donna Drackett (Bryan); grandchildren, Emma and Max Klauber, and Jacob and Cole Drackett; sister, Nikki Cothran (Bob); brother, Honorable Richard Potter (Sharon); brothers-in-law, John Henderson (Linda) and Harry Jordan; sister-in-law, Susan Gray (Donny); and many nieces, nephews and God children, all of whom he loved and teased mercilessly.
At the young age of 25, just before his discharge from the Army, Ken received a Commendation Medal for meritorious service. His commanding officer described him as having a “highly analytical mind, sharp wit, and deep sense of responsibility.” Everyone who knew Ken would agree that he maintained those traits throughout his life, although it is his wit they’ll miss the most.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 4, 2022, at T.M. Ralph Funeral Home, 7001 NW 4th Street, Plantation, FL 33317. A celebration of life will follow the service, for those wishing to join the family, on The Terrace at the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale West, 1230 South Pine Island Road, Plantation, FL 33324.
In his memory donations may be made to:
The Citadel Foundation, https://www.foundation.citadel.edu;
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, https://www.cff.org/chapters/southeast-florida-chapter-fort-lauderdale-office; or
The Federal Bureau of Investigation Agents’ Association’s Memorial College Fund, https://www.fbiaa.org.
Cremation arrangements by T. M. Ralph Plantation Funeral Home 7001 NW 4 Street Plantation, Florida
Posted in: Ralph Funeral Homes
Posted on: 2022-11-21
Link to original obituary: https://www.tmralph.com/obituary/kenneth-potter