Kenneth R. Mahaffey, commonly known as "Ken", was born on Saturday, January 3,1948 in  Winter Haven, FL to Pierre Raymond Mahaffey, Jr. and Frances "Frankie" Bowling Madden. He was a graduate of Winter Haven High School,  Class of 1966. Soon after graduation, Kenneth enrolled in the University of Florida to continue his educational pursuit. During his college years he worked for the Minute Maid corporation.  In 1970, he earned a bachelor's degree in Building Construction. Subsequently, he became an employee of Florida Power and Light (FPL). From 1976-1978, Ken was part owner of Nature Trek which was incorporated in 1977.

Ken was a longtime resident of Putnam County formerly residing in Hollister before moving to East Palatka.

Ken launched his public service tenure in government in 1978 when he commenced five years of employment as a city building official in Palatka. In 1982, he assumed the role of Putnam County's Chief Appraiser where he served for 15 years. He was duly elected as the Putnam County Tax Collector and served honorably from 1997 - 2012. He gained much notoriety for outstanding and dedicated civic leadership.

Ken was an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Palatka where he served as a deacon, elder and Bible Study leader.  Recognition as a consummate community servant is the result of Ken's extensive service profile which includes:

Chairman of the Putnam County Sesquicentennial for the State of Florida

Community Director of the Salvation Army

President of Putnam March of Dimes

President of the Tax Collectors Association of Florida

Lieutenant Governor Kiwanis

Founder of the Bartram Trail Society of Florida

Boy Scout Executive

Dunns Creek volunteer

United Way volunteer

Boy Scouts volunteer

Keep Putnam Beautiful volunteer

Blood donor - Life South 151 donations / 22.6679 gallons

In his leisure time, Ken enjoyed observing nature, canoeing, gardening, lawn maintenance, still photography, wildflower photography, hiking, dancing and enjoying life.

In addition to his parents, Ken was preceded in eternal rest by his father-in-law, Henry G. Smith and mother-in-law, Marjorie Smith, as well as numerous cousins and aunts.

Ken peacefully entered the sunset of life on Wednesday,  November 5, 2025 at Haven Hospice Roberts Care Center.

Cherished memories of Ken will forever be with his wife of 46 years, Janice; daughters, Meghan and Kailyn; son, Robert; granddaughter, Liliana; sisters, Donna Barber, Mary Ann Mahaffey Anziano and  Kay Strong; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bill and Sandra S. Barfield, numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews.

The memorial will be held 12 noon Saturday, November 22nd at the First Presbyterian Church, Rev. Cliff Lyda is the officiant.  It will be livestreamed through the First Presbyterian Church of Palatka's  Facebook and YouTube pages, respectively.

In lieu of flowers, the Mahaffey family suggests donating to one of the following :

Putnam First Cancer Fund   https://putnamfirstcf.org/donate/

Haven Hospice    https://havenhospice.com/donate

Bartram Trail Society of Florida   https://bartramtrailsociety.com/donate/