Kenneth D. Farragut Jr., 85, of Lafayette Hill, a Pro Bowl center for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1953 and the owner of one of the largest area roofing firms, died Feb. 16 of complications of diabetes at The Hill at Whitemarsh.

Mr. Farragut played for the Eagles from 1951 to 1954, after he was selected in the sixth round of the 1951 NFL draft.

Born in Ponchatoula, La., he moved with his family to Moss Point, Miss., where he was a star center and linebacker for the high school football team. When his high school coach, Tom Swayze, was hired as assistant football coach at the University of Mississippi, Mr. Farragut was offered a full scholarship and became the Rebels starting center, playing all four years and becoming team captain in 1950.

He was named to the University of Mississippi Hall of Fame in 1988, the Pennsylvania Hall of Fame in 1992, and received the NFL Alumni Career Achievement Award in 1992.

In 1962 Mr. Farragut founded the U.S Roofing Corp. in Norristown, which is today one of the largest commercial roofing companies in the area. He retired in 1997, and his son K. David III took over as CEO.

In addition to his son, he is survived by his wife, the former Jane C. Brister; a son, J. Daniel; a daughter, Deborah Worstall; a sister; eight grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Feb. 22 at Messiah Lutheran Church in Lafayette Hill. – WF