Ken was born in Cranbrook B.C. on December 25th 1928 where he spent his youth and teenage years.
Ken was an avid athlete and spent much of his time on the ice playing hockey and on the ball field as a great second baseman while in Cranbrook. After attending school Ken worked for a short period of time with the Canadian Pacific Railroad (CPR) shoveling coal on steam locomotives. After the CPR Ken began his career in the newspaper business as a linotype operator with the Cranbrook Courier, it was at this time he met the love of his life, a young nurse in training, Carol Isabelle Davis from Riondel BC. Ken and Carol were married in Cranbrook on July 14th 1951. Shortly after their marriage Ken and Carol moved to Castlegar where Ken became the first linotype operator for the newly established Castlegar News. Parts from the linotype that Ken operated were used to create the elk sculpture that is currently situated at the exit of the West Kootenay Regional Airport. Ken worked in the newspaper business for over 30 years and for a short time operated his own local Castlegar paper called the Viewpoint. Ken finished his working career as a custodian at Selkirk College where he very much enjoyed spending time with staff and students while performing his daily duties.
Ken loved to fish, camp, play golf and curl and was also very active volunteering with the community spending many hours helping with the construction of Castlegar's first (Pioneer) ice arena. Additionally, Ken was active as a hockey and baseball coach for many of the youth in the Castlegar area while also being an enthusiastic supporter for his three children who participated in figure skating, hockey, ball, skiing and a range of school sports. Ken never missed a game watching his children or grandchildren play sports. His grandchildren today remark that he was the granddad you loved to come and visit, always offering words of encouragement and support. In later years Ken and Carol built a pool at their residence which all the grandchildren and their friends were encouraged to use and learned to swim.
Ken always had a dog and cats(s) and enjoyed the companionship they provided over his lifetime.
Ken was predeceased by his brothers Arvin, Jack and Bill and infant sister and is survived by his wife Carol Price, daughter Jean (Doug Hergott) of Penticton, sons Larry (Lorraine) of Nelson and Murray (Joanne) of Fruitvale. Grandchildren Ashley (Keith) Pearce great-grandchildren Nolan and Kathrine of Kelowna, Steve (Keri) and great-grandchildren Haiden and Blake of Calgary, Grandchildren Shannon (Gord) Aiken and great-grandchildren John and Sydney of Warfield. Grandchildren Derek (Stephanie Ruptash) of Edmonton. Grandchild Stephanie Hergott (Clayton Appleby) of Castlegar . Sister in Law Maggie Price of Cranbrook, Sister in Law Betty Lutz of Castlegar and many nieces and nephews.
A get-together of family and friends in remembrance of Ken is being planned for a future date.
Castlegar Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements.
Castlegar Funeral ChapelAdditional Photo(s):