Ken Helfman, right, and son Kory of Ken’s Man’s Shop.
Ken Helfman, founder and previous owner of Ken’s Man’s Shop died on Jan. 13; He was 86.
Ken’s Man’s Shop opened in 1964 in Garland and quickly became a favorite of many including the Dallas Cowboys. Ken and his wife Jerri Greer moved the store to its current home at Preston and Royal where it has continued to stay for 30 years. In 2016, he retired and his son Kory became the shop’s new owner.
The news was announced on the company’s Facebook page on Jan. 16 and according to the company’s post, he passed away peacefully. A memorial service and Celebration of Life was held at Temple Emanu-El at 11 a.m. and Shiva at 1 p.m.
Many loyal customers left comments on the post with condolences and memories of Ken.
“Many thanks for all your kind words yesterday on the news of my father’s passing,” shop owner Kory Helfman said in a post. “Ken was a visionary in the men’s retail industry and respected throughout, and he also had the kindest soul. He was the funniest person I have ever known, and as many of you commented, he had a joke for every situation. It warms my heart to see that so many of you will be keeping his memory alive with stories of the good times you spent with him throughout the years.”
The shop was closed on Thursday morning, but opened later from 2 to 6 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the Helfman family encourages donations to be made to the Bill Hunt Scholarship Award.
The fund was founded by Ken in honor of the store’s first employee who started working at the store while attending Garland High School in 1964. He died at the age of 27. Dozens of high school students have been recipients of the award who mirror Bill’s qualities and is a true spirit of community.
