James "Ken" Baity, Sr.

DATELINE:  KINGS MOUNTAIN, NORTH CAROLINA James Kenneth "Ken" Baity, Sr.

James Kenneth "Ken" Baity Sr., 84, of Kings Mountain, NC, passed away on December 22, 2023 at Wendover Hospice House in Shelby, NC. Born in Cleveland County, he was the son of the late James Floyd Baity and Mary Ruth Cabe and was preceded in death by his beloved Sandi Stewart Baity. He is additionally preceded in death by his brothers Bob and Mike Baity, sister Maxine Barber, and grandson Justin Ramey. Ken was a graduate of Kings Mountain High School, where he lettered in baseball, basketball, and football. Ken was a stand-out in football, becoming the first player in Cleveland County history to record a 1000-yard rushing season and held several records for many years. Ken was selected for and played in the 1958 North Carolina Shrine Bowl and has been inducted into the Kings Mountain Sports Hall of Fame.  He attended the University of South Carolina on a football scholarship. Ken spent the majority of his professional career in various aspects of the automobile industry, culminating in a position as general sales manager with Lexus of Greenville, SC. Ken had a way of making everyone feel special. He was generous, full of life, fun, and spontaneous. He lived and loved BIG. Ken will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

SURVIVORS: Sons: Jim Baity (Angela) of Inman, South Carolina Charlie Baity of Fort Lauderdale, Florida Daughters: Lisa Ramey (Buddy) of Kings Mountain, North Carolina Pam Jackson of Kings Mountain, North Carolina Katie Moon (Brad) Simpsonville, South Carolina Sister: Kay Hawkins (Tommy) of Kings Mountain, North Carolina 9 Grandchildren and 7 Great-Grandchildren Numerous nieces and nephews

FUNERAL SERVICE: Saturday, December 30, 2023 at 2:00 PM in the Ollie Harris Memorial Chapel with Rev. John Bridges officiating.

VISITATION: Saturday, December 30, 2023 from 1:00 to 1:50 PM prior to the service in the parlor at Harris Funeral Home.

MEMORIALS: Memorials in Ken's memory may be made to Hospice Cleveland County Foundation at 212 South Washington Street, Shelby, NC 28150.

GUEST REGISTER AVAILABLE AT WWW.HARRISFUNERALS.COM ARRANGEMENTS:  HARRIS FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES, KINGS MOUNTAIN, NORTH CAROLINA