Ken Treadway, 96, passed away quietly on July 31, 2026, in Lawrence, Kansas. He was in the loving presence of his family, Bettie, wife of 75 years, and daughter, Tanya. He was a most excellent husband and father. Ken was happy, funny, kind, generous, and open-hearted, making friends with everyone he met, from children to heads of state.
Ken was a proud Chickamauga Cherokee. His ancestors traveled the Trail of Tears from Georgia to Oklahoma. Born in Muskogee, Ken was one of seven children, whose parents were sharecroppers. When he was very young, his ornery brothers sent him swimming in the ponds to clear the snakes. Thus began his very exciting journey into the international swimming world, which took him to all 50 states and 44 countries.
His exuberance, excellent communication skills, creative problem solving, and forward thinking allowed him to succeed in every endeavor. He was a trend setter and innovator in amateur sports. But most importantly, he positively impacted everyone he met.
Ken won virtually every major accolade in competitive swimming, including being inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame and receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1950, he founded the longest, most successful swimming program in history, the Phillips 66 Splash Club in Bartlesville, OK, serving as its first coach. He managed three Olympic swimming teams in Tokyo, Mexico City and Munich. In 1973, Ken persuaded his employer, Phillips 66, to become a national sponsor of swimming, now the longest continuous corporate sponsorship of any amateur sport in America.
In his spare time, Ken was a beekeeper, vegetable gardener, tree planter, and avid sports fan. He also made the best country breakfast on Saturdays and popcorn balls at Christmas.
Although there will be no services, the family encourages those who knew and loved Ken to remember and tell favorite stories about him. And, if you wish to continue his life-long work of teaching children to swim, please consider contributing to the International Swimming Hall of Fame Drowning Prevention and Youth Learn to Swim projects: 1 Hall of Fame Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316.
My heartfelt condolences to aunt Bettie & Tanya, uncle Kenneth will remain in the thoughts and hearts of many. Love to both of you.
My heartfelt condolences to aunt Bettie & Tanya, uncle Kenneth will remain in the thoughts and hearts of many. Love to both of you.
So sorry for your loss. Uncle Kenneth was a sweet, caring man. We were proud of him. Praying for your comfort. Sonya (Treadway) Allen
Ken Treadway is my uncle. He was a very kind person. We didn’t see him or Aunt Betty much but when we did we had enjoyable visits. Uncle Ken did a lot for Phillips 66 and for the USA swim teams that so many have no idea. Aunt Betty as well. Heaven has called a good man home. Aunt Betty you and Tanya are in my thoughts and Prayers.
I did not know Mr. Treadway, but was curious about him and so I googled him and found out what an amazing man he was.
My sincere condolences to the family and his friends and to the people he touched during his years of founding the Phillips 66 Swim‼️🇺🇸