Ken Lancaster

Ken “Pop” Lancaster, age 89, was a wise and remarkable man who passed away peacefully in his home on May 30th, 2025, with his beloved wife of 49 years, Chris, by his side. Ken, the 5th of eight children, graduated from Hewitt-Trussville High School in the class of 1952, one of the earliest classes of the Cahaba Homestead Village. While starting a family, Ken earned a degree in Industrial Management from the School of Engineering at Auburn University, graduating as a member of Phi Kappa Phi society in recognition of outstanding academic performance. He began a successful career in textile optimization in 1960 at Genesco in Tennessee. Several years later, he relocated to Pennsylvania to work for Van Heusen, where he also did consulting for them in South America. While at Van Heusen, he met Christine (Chris) Heffron. They married and together founded a consulting firm, which Ken operated until his retirement. After retirement, Ken and Chris traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe with family and friends. In 1988, following the passing of his mother, Ken and two brothers-in-law—Earl Vernon and Earl Massey—collaborated to develop the prestigious Lancashire and Lancashire Brentwood subdivisions from the family’s 48-acre farm in the heart of Trussville, a project that extended the Lancaster family legacy as a part of Trussville’s rich history. Ken is survived by his wife, Chris; brother, Bob; sisters, Carol and Jo; and by his children and their families, who were the center of his life: Jana, mother to five daughters: Phoenix (Bill), Noel (Brandon; children: Dawson, Bradleigh, Emmett), Merry Lynn (Tim), Alaina (Jake, daughter: Jane), and Ricki (Elliot, daughters: Cora, Lainey, and Elinor expected in July). Russell (Barbara), father to Samantha (married with children and grandchildren of her own), Sharon (Jim), mother to Andrea (Shane, children: Max, Judy, Lucy, Stowe), Mckenlee (son: Grady), and Evan. Ken found immense joy as a proud and energetic grandfather. He cherished playing cards and games with his grandchildren, braving “parents-not-allowed” Disney vacations with as many as five grandchildren at a time, hosting holidays and celebrations, and sharing his wisdom and advice with all who were fortunate to hear it. His loving family grew exponentially throughout his life and continues to grow, carrying his memory and spirit forward. Visitation will be held at Deerfoot Memorial on Monday, June 9th at 11:00am, with service to follow at 12:00p. In lieu of flowers the family kindly asks for donations to be made to the American Heart Association or the Parkinson’s Foundation. “And now the purple dusk of twilight time steals across the meadows of my heart.”

Ken Lancaster

July 29, 1935 - May 30, 2025