Kenneth Allen Bellamy passed away on April 15, 2023 at his home, at the age of 89. He was born on July 12, 1933, in Farnam, Nebraska, to Ray and Hazel (Coker) Bellamy. He was the seventh of nine children. Kenneth was a star athlete in high school and participated in football, basketball, track, and baseball. He also played a significant role in his class as a news reporter, and he acted in junior and senior class plays.
In 1951, Kenneth graduated from Farnam High School and married his high school sweetheart, Doris Bosch, two years later at Eustis Methodist Church. After completing his service in the army the couple moved back to the farm north of Farnam. They had four children, Linda, Bruce, Greg, and Karen.
Kenneth and his brother Joe purchased the Beck Implement, a John Deere business in Elwood, Nebraska, in 1958. The Bellamy's took over operation on January 1, 1959, and farmed in the Farnam community as well. A few years later Joe sold his share of the business to his brother, Jack. In 1964, Kenneth and Jack bought a dealership in Curtis and operated it for five years. In November 1965 Kenneth and brother, Jack, bought the Longsine John Deere dealership in Arapahoe. In 1982, Bellamy Implement, Inc of Elwood and Hi-Line Implement of Eustis merged to become Bellamy Implement, Inc and was operated by Kenneth Bellamy, Jack Bellamy, and Ed Sunquist.
In addition to his work in the John Deere business, Kenneth had many interests and talents. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, reading Louis L’Amour books, gourmet Oriental cooking, and baking bread and pies. He also loved to take many children fishing, who otherwise would not have gotten to go. In 2003, Kenneth started a new venture and built “The Shed” at his farmstead, where he butchered and packaged meat for therapy, as it gave him exercise and relieved stress.
Kenneth and Doris loved overseas travel and visited many countries, including Brazil, France, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, and the Bahamas. In 2009, Kenneth celebrated 50 years in business for Bellamy’s John Deere shop in Elwood. He retired in 2012 after 53 years and seven months in the John Deere business.
Survivors include wife, Doris Bellamy of Farnam; two daughters, Linda Berens of Omaha and, Karen (Craig) Philips of Holdrege; two sons, Bruce (Georgine) Bellamy of Winterset, IA and Greg (Corky) Bellamy of Colby, KS; five granddaughters, Sara (Todd) Tones, Jessica Berens, Mindy (Matt) Darling, Amber (Justin) High, and Hayden Bellamy; three grandsons, Jeff (Stephanie) Bellamy, Brad Bellamy and Andrew (Nikki) Philips; 12 great-grandchildren Blake Bellamy, Carson Bellamy, Jace Bellamy, Cole Darling, Kate Darling, Logan Bellamy, Kaelyn Bellamy, Oliver High, Coen High, Hudson High,Will Tones and Bellamy Tones; two sisters-in-law, Marlys Bellamy and Lloydelle Bellamy; brother-in-law, Gene (Cora) Bosch.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Hazel (Coker) Bellamy, father and mother-in-law Albert and Esther (Seifer) Bosch. Siblings, Maurice (Theresa) Bellamy, Horace (Ruth) Bellamy, Noble (Irene) Bellamy, Mable Bloise, Harriet (Ed) McCormack, Jack Bellamy, Joe Bellamy, infant Neil Bellamy.
His passion for life, many talents, and warm heart will be missed by all who knew him.
Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Thursday, April 20, 2023, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm, with family present from 4:00 - 6:00 pm.
Services will be held at Farnam United Methodist Church, April 21, 2023 at 2:00 pm with Pastor Duncan Ibuuri and Pastor Greg Boller officiating.
Interment will we be held 11:00 am Friday, April 21, 2023 at Fort McPherson National Cemetery.
In Lieu of Flowers memorials may be given to the Farnam Senior Center, Farnam EMT or Farnam Fire Department.