Kenneth "Papa" "Gene" Conder, 90, of Owensboro, passed away on March 6, 2025, at the Heartford House while under the care of Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky. He was born Nov. 26, 1934, in Breckenridge County to the late Herbert and Helen Dooley Conder. Gene proudly served in the United States Army, earning the rank of SGT and was retired from the Owensboro Fire Department where he retired as Captain. On his days off from the fire department he worked for Kuester's for 28 ½ years, basically from when the store opened until its closing. He and his wife, Jeanette, were also longtime members of Owensboro Christian Church. Gene was a great husband, father and grandfather, known by many as a kind, gentle man.

He was a third degree Mason since 1977, a member of the Ensor Lodge #729, a member of the Rizpah Shrine Temple in Madisonville, a 32nd degree Scottish Right, and a Kentucky Colonel.