Kenneth "Ken" Maciula

Kenneth “Ken” Maciula, age 82, of Middlesboro, KY, passed away peacefully at home on September 1, 2026, with his wife by his side. 

Born March 22, 1944, in Albany, New York, to L. Andrew and Reba Maciula. He was raised in Waco, Texas. Ken was the 2nd of 5 boys. He was in the Class of 1962 at Reicher Catholic High School. He was an Eagle Scout. After high school he attended St. Edward’s University and University of Texas at Austin. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1966 with his Bachelors of Arts degree. He enlisted in the Air Force where he served as a missile launch officer in the Strategic Air Command at Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota. He met his wife Terry Ann while serving in the Air Force and they were married October 22, 1971. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force with the rank of Captain. He earned his Masters of Arts Degree from the University of North Dakota in 1971. He then moved to Denver to pursue a Master of Arts degree at the University of Denver, graduating in 1972. After completing his degree, he moved to Grand Junction, CO, to work at the Bureau of Land Management.

With Ann and their three children, Ken moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1979 and joined the family business, working with his father and brother. He directed shows at Town and Gown Theatre and taught at Tulsa Community College. He was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church and was active in the Knights of Columbus.

In 1991, Ken moved to eastern Kentucky to teach at Hazard Community College. He began teaching at Southeast Community and Technical College in 1998. He was a fixture in the Communications Department, teaching classes in Communications, Theatre, English, and Women’s Studies. As the Director of Middlesboro Little Theatre, he enjoyed connecting art to the community, directing dozens of productions including Harvey, Arsenic and Old Lace, and Hair and Oliver. He retired from The University of Kentucky in 2014. 

Ken threw himself into designing and overseeing the construction of Ambletop Farm. He spent his retirement nurturing a menagerie of beloved dogs, riding trails with his horses, and caring for the land, animals and humans on his treasured farm. Ken loved being a grandfather. He spent his time sharing his world with his grandchildren. He loved playing family games of Scrabble and Yahtzee. He shared his knowledge of horses and their care with his grandchildren. They have fond memories of Grandad taking them hiking, sharing his passion for horses, and teaching them the joys of cooking. 

Ken was active in his local community and church family. He was a devoted member of St. Julian’s Roman Catholic Church. Over the years, Ken was a member of the congregation’s musical group, served as a lector, and was a Eucharistic Minister. Ken loved the Middlesboro community and helped organize the Bell County Council on Literacy Scrabble Tournament, rode his horses in the annual holiday parade, and enjoyed taking art classes.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Edward Maciula and Roger Eric Maciula.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Ann; his son, Jason Maciula and daughter-in-law Jami; his daughter, Emily Ballew and son-in-law Keith; his son, Drew Maciula and daughter-in-law Erika; his seven grandchildren, Kelsie Ballew, Ella Maciula, Eric Ballew, Lily Maciula, Max Maciula, Vivian Maciula, and Kai Maciula; and his brothers, Robert Maciula and Thomas Maciula. 

The family of Kenneth Maciula will receive friends on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m., at St. Julian Catholic Church, Middlesboro, KY. A Funeral Mass will immediately follow at 1:00 p.m. with Father Yohanes Akoit, Celebrant.

Online register book and condolences are available at www.cawoodfh.com.

All arrangements for Kenneth "Ken" Maciula are under the care of Cawood Funeral Home, Middlesboro, KY.