Kenneth David "Quack" Quillen

Kenneth David “QUACK” Quillen, 63, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, August 10th, 2026, at Tennova North in Powell, Tennessee. He was born May 12th, 1963, in Middlesboro, Kentucky.

Quack was a child in a man’s body in the best way possible. A simple man with a slow-paced life. Never one to chase or focus on what he didn’t have, rather a man that was completely happy and content with what he had - a mindset a lot of people nowadays aren’t capable of. The things he did have, he would gladly give away to anyone, including the shirt straight off of his back.

We’re not going to sit here and tell you that he was a ray of sunshine that “lit up every room he walked into”. Instead, he would take pride in being the dark cloud that entered. Not full of rain or gloom, but of smartass-ery, quick-witted remarks, and, for the ladies, a couple of flirtatious lines. Regardless, he truly was the life of the party.

Quack was a lover of many things, with sports placing a close second behind his family. He loved the Georgia Bulldogs and the Detroit Tigers, to name a couple, but above all, GO BIG BLUE. Growing up, he played anything that was considered a sport. His most memorable was playing on the 1974-1975 boys’ basketball team at Ward Chapel, alongside his special friend, Mike Wilson. Go Pirates!

Even after school, Quack still played anything he could. He traveled around playing basketball on a team he formed with his dear friend turned family, Beaver Howard. At one point he even was featured on a magazine cover after winning a darts competition-a sport he got into after moving to Nashville, living with a close friend, Kenneth Hawkins.

Along with sports, he had an avid love for music - AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, and, specifically, Stevie Nicks and Jimmy Buffett, to name a few. He loved WWF and AEW, a shared passion that he bonded over with his niece, Haley. Because of this, he had an impressive and continuous collection of wrestling and superhero action figures, all neatly displayed in his home. Later in life, he enjoyed his time outdoors in the place that was, and always will be, his home: Colmar. He was especially talented in drawing, painting, and woodworking, and he loved sharing those talents and pieces with his family.

Above all of this, as a young boy, Quack came to an altar at Cannon Creek Missionary Baptist (Rev. Preston Smith) and confessed his sins and accepted Jesus Christ as his savoir and was baptized.

Quack was preceded in death by the love of his life, April Dawn Quillen. The two met in 1999, married on February 25TH, 2000, and spent every single day together until her death in 2012. He grieved her until his very last day. We find peace in knowing that he is with the Lord and reunited with his precious April.

Alongside his wife, he is also preceded in death by his dad, Conley Leon Quillen, his mom, Zelma Ingram Quillen, and his special big brother, Gregory Leon Quillen. The loss of Greg, who passed away in August of 1983 when Quack was just 20 years old, was another one that he carried with him throughout the rest of his life. He was also preceded in death by a special and lifelong friend Tim Hurst, as well as many grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Quack is survived by his son, Jon Quillen, who he was so proud of and two granddaughters that he bragged on every chance he got, Kaylee Dawn and Kira Lynn. He is also survived by his baby brother, who was always there and took care of him until his very last breath, Terry Quillen.; his sister by choice, Debby Quillen, who he got to pick on and torment for over 30 years; a niece that he thought hung the moon and stars and never let her forget it, Samantha (Brandon) Spade; his only nephew and namesake, Jacob Kenneth Lee (Keri) Quillen; and another niece that always kept him in line, Haley Quillen. He also got to experience the joy of having great nephews who he got a kick out of, Mason Lee Spade, and Gabriel Jacob Quillen, as well as an expected great nephew.

Quack’s wishes were to be cremated and have his ashes joined with his wife’s.

The family of Quack Quillen will receive friends on Sunday, August 16, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Cawood Funeral Home Chapel, Middlesboro, KY. A celebration of life will follow at 4:00 p.m. with Mike Wilson and J.D. Barton presiding.

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

All arrangements for Kenneth David “Quack” Quillen are under the care of Cawood Funeral Home, Middlesboro, KY.