Kenneth Bernell Wisdom Sr.

1934 - 2015

Kenneth Bernell Wisdom Sr. obituary, 1934-2015, Metairie, LA

BORN

1934

DIED

2015

FUNERAL HOME

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries

5100 Pontchartrain Blvd.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Kenneth Wisdom Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Mar. 30, 2015.

Kenneth Bernell Wisdom, Sr., age 80 years, passed away on Friday, March 27, 2015. Beloved husband of Joann Bartley Wisdom. Loving father of Karen Naquin (the late Gregory Naquin) and Kenneth Bernell Wisdom, Jr. Son of the late Frank T. Wisdom and Ruby Camden Wisdom. Brother of Paul Wisdom and the late Iris Henderson and Gerald, Joseph, and Larry Wisdom. Grandfather of Hannah and Charlotte Naquin and Arden and Harper Wisdom. Brother-in-law of George, III and Laurie Bartley. Also survived by nieces, nephews, and friends.



Kenneth served his country as an Officer in the US Army. He was a Petroleum Engineer for Texaco Oil for 38 years retiring as Onshore Division Manager for the Eastern United States. He was a longtime member of the National Society of Petroleum Engineers. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice.



Visitation will be held at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA on Friday, April 3, 2015 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Funeral services will be held in the chapel at 12:00 PM . Interment will be private. To view and sign the family guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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March 24, 2019

Coworker

Richard Beightol

Worked with Ken for many years. Although I was in the geophysical department we often had
things that we needed his expert advise. He was super person to have as a professional as well
as personal friendship. GOD BLESS YOU KEN!

April 8, 2015

Sorry to hear about my good friend and collegue. Work with Ken throught-out many years with Texaco. GOD BLESS and wish peace to family.

Richard "Dick" Beightol

April 7, 2015

Del Richter

My condolences to Ken's family. I had the pleasure of working with Ken from 1989 to 1992. I always appreciated Ken's directness and his ability to "tell it like it is". He didn't shy away from handling difficult, complex situations and he did it well. He made our team a great place to work. In my 40 year career in the industry, he is one of those I will always remember.

April 4, 2015

John Lofton

I worked with Ken at Texaco in Harvey as an engineer just out of school from 1970 to 1977. He was a highly respected supervisor and leader. He would give you direct and unbridled feedback on your performance. You prepared relentlessly before presenting any proposal to him. There was no higher qualification than this was reviewed and approved by Mr. Wisdom.
I remember watching him take morning reports over the radio on a weekend. It was a coveted privilege for a young field engineer to see the District leadership take reports in the front office. Everyone in the various field offices listened to morning reports waiting their turn on air. Reports were transcribed by hand. Ken's complete understanding of complex operations and visualization of the rig situation was instantaneous. His reaction was too. Pressing down on the microphone button allowed you to talk. Releasing the button would click and alert the speaker in the field to read another line of the report. A simple OK meant that line of the report was understood and transcribed and the field report could continue with the next line. There was generally silence in the office while Ken took reports unless he spoke or requested you to provide input or to retrieve a document for reference. On days when an operation had gone poorly, after releasing the talk button, Ken would unleash a steady stream of cussing that would make a sailor blush. He would then calmly press the button again and give a quick OK and the cussing would continue. When finished, he would instruct the person reporting to do nothing more, but to call him immediately on the phone. The room was always cleared for those phone conversations!
Mr. Wisdom was a highly respected Engineer and Manager especially among those who witnessed his ability and worked hard to try to earn his approval. His legacy lives on in those he trained.

John Lofton

April 3, 2015

Remembering wonderful times with Ken in the early 70's at Texaco while we worked together. I will remember Ken in my prayers and drink a special toast to him to celebrate his life.
With sincere condolences,
Jay Low

April 3, 2015

Remembering wonderful times with Ken in the early 70's at Texaco while we worked together. I will remember Ken in my prayers and drink a special toast to him to celebrate his life.
With sincere condolences,
Jay Low

April 3, 2015

A .J. & Nell Planche

Joann and Family, We are so sorry to hear of the loss of Kenneth. We will keep you in our prayers.

April 2, 2015

Joann, Karen and Kenny,
Our sincerest condolences at this very tough time.
Gilda and Sam Reed

April 2, 2015

Sandy Price

Joann - Our sincere condolences to you and your family with the loss of your beloved Ken. We sure remember all the good times we had with the Children's Hospital Guild, the auctions we attended, all the dinners we went to, and especially the crawfish boils at your home; you and Ken were delightful hosts. With our sympathy,
John & Sandy Price
Diamondhead, Mississippi

April 2, 2015

Karen, I am so sorry to hear about your father's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Take care.
Love, Suzanne Flores Majoue

April 2, 2015

Joycelyn Gonzalez

Karen, Am so sorry for you and your families lose. My thoughts and prayers go out to you all during the diffcult time. With deep sympathy, Joyce Gonzalez

April 2, 2015

Donna Marsh

Karen, My sincerest condolences and prayers to you and your family on the passing of your father. I wanted to leave this short note in the guest book as I will not be able to attend the funeral. My prayers and those of my parents and their whole Sunday School class are out there for you and yours.

April 1, 2015

As Courtesy Chairman,of Ladies Leukemia League Joan Boudreaux Cuccia wish to express our heartfelt sympathy and thoughts and prayers are with you and family at this difficult time. GOD BLESS! Most sincerely, Joan

April 1, 2015

Bruce Appelbaum

Ken was a great teammate and terrific engineer during my time in New Orleans. He helped my transition to the company and I am grateful for the kindnesses shown. He will indeed be missed.

March 31, 2015

Don Burks

Ken was a mentor and friend and in some ways even an oilfield legend. My first close experience with Ken was August 1969 when as a summer engineer I was assigned to work with Ken. When I graduated and returned to Texaco, Ken helped me tune my car and taught me a great deal about Petroleum Engineering. He told it like it was and pulled no punches! He was great at training young engineers! May he rest in peace! He will be missed!

March 31, 2015

Bill Wallace

It is with a great deal of sadness that I heard of Ken's passing. I had the great pleasure of working with Ken in New Orleans from 1989 through 1994. Ken was an integral part of our efforts to rebuild a new Texaco. He was knowledgeable, direct and a great team player. I know that he will be missed by all that knew him

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Funeral services provided by:

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