RALEIGH, N.C.—Joel Kenneth “Ken” Lassiter, 68, of Raleigh died peacefully at his home April 29, 2012, after a three-year battle with cancer.

Ken was born June 3, 1943, the son of the late Jane Draper and Albert Kenneth Lassiter of Boykins.

He is remembered with love by his wife of 31 years, Sheila Hatch Lassiter and son, Joel Kenneth Lassiter Jr.; sister Marcia Garriss and brother Gene Lassiter; mother-in-law, Beverly Hatch; sister-in-law and husband, Terrie and Rod Buckner; brother-in-law and wife, Eddie and Patty Hatch; nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins; Godson Keith Edmister; and close friend Rusty Edmister.

He graduated from Southampton County High School and received his BS in Electrical Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

He served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Independence and was retired from IBM.

A service celebrating Ken’s life will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 5, 2012, at Renaissance Funeral Home, 7615 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, N.C., 27615, with Military Honors.

A celebration of life will be held in Boykins, Va., at a later date.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Jeffrey Crane and the staff at Rex Cancer Center.

Memorial contributions may be made to Rex Healthcare Foundation, The Angel Fund, 2500 Blue Ridge Road, Ste 325, Raleigh, N.C., 27607; Hospice of Wake County, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, N.C., 27607; or your favorite charity.

Arrangements by Renaissance Funeral Home. www.rfhr.com