Murray Kenneth "Kenny" Batson, Jr., age 83, of Wilmington passed peacefully on the morning of Monday, August 7, 2023 at his home.

He was born March 12, 1940 in Wilmington, the son of Murray Kenneth Batson, Sr. and Dollie Belle Futch Batson. He was also preceded in death by his son, Joseph; and grandson, Paul Baker.

Kenneth is survived by his beloved wife of 63 wonderful years, Geraldine "Jerry" Batson; daughters, Nona Batson Baker (Stanley), Cindy Batson Robinson (Darin), and Cheryl  Batson Baucom (Bob); grandchildren, Jackie Roman (Richard), Kenny Phillips (Paula), Brandon Organ (Kelli), Chris Baker, Shannon Baker, Wade Robinson (Melinda), and Jessica Robinson (Haeley); great grandchildren, Chase, Olivia-Ryan, Kally, Kasey, and Remington; sister, Linda Thompson (Gary); nephew, Keith Thompson (Rhonda); niece, Konya Border (Shaun); great nephew and nieces, Cayman, Khloie, Madison and Kaylee; and many friends.

Kenny grew up in Sloop Point. He was a beautiful, curly-haired, towheaded little boy. Quiet and shy, he loved playing marbles. The water was always a great love of his; he was born with one foot in it. He could roller skate and water ski like a pro. Kenny loved baseball and was a pitcher on a team in Sloop Point. His dearest friends growing up included Buddy Bonds, Chester Andrews, and the Coleman boys, Ray, Jimmy, and Bob.

1959, during the Azalea festival, Kenny, Ray, and Jimmy attended the carnival and square dance held at the NC Armory. Jerry was there with her girlfriends, Joan and Ann. Kenny and Jerry met at the square dance and that was the beginning of what would prove to be a lifetime shared by them. On May 20, 1960, Kenny and Jerry along with their mothers, Dollie Belle Batson and Dorothy Rose, and Jerry's aunt Letha Langley arrived in South Carolina where they were married. Their mothers and aunt served as their witnesses. Soon thereafter they began their family. Daughters Nona Marie, Cynthia (Cindy) Loyce, and Cheryl Rose were all born and raised in New Hanover County.

During the following years Kenny worked at Indian Head Hosiery for 10 years, Babcock and Wilcox for 13 years, and finally settled into commercial fishing/shrimping for a few decades or so. Known as, "The Shrimp Man" he met many people who became regular customers, and some became good friends. He worked hard to provide for his family.

Kenny loved spending time with his best friends Herman Dingler and Clyde Pender. He also enjoyed going to Hardee's on Carolina Beach Road in the mornings to have breakfast, fellowship, and shoot the breeze with his buddies.

Anyone who knew Kenny knew there was one thing Kenny loved more than just about anything in the world and that was a red Ford Mustang. He loved going to races and watching them on tv.   If it had to do with cars he was interested. He would watch Mecum and Barrett-Jackson car auctions on the tv. And when he was done with cars, he would flip it to a baseball game if one was on.

He loved shrimp, steamed oysters, and all the other seafood too. He loved his kitties, Squeeksie and KK, he took more pictures of those cats than he did his kids! He enjoyed riding four-wheelers, playing corn hole, and singing karaoke – Luckenbach, Texas by Waylon Jennings was a go to for him.

Kenny loved his wife, Jerry and his family. He always enjoyed family get-togethers to celebrate special occasions and to just spend time together. He will always be remembered as a husband, a father, a brother, a granddaddy, a great-granddaddy, a cousin, an uncle, and a friend, but really, he will mostly be remembered as "The Shrimp Man."

Graveside service will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, August 11, 2023 at Barlow Vista Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Dr. William Guthrie and Sharon Baucom conducting the service.

The family will receive friends at the cemetery following the service.

In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial gift to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929.

Shared memories and condolences may be sent to the family by selecting Tribute Wall.

A service of Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home Burgaw Chapel.