- Date Of Birth: July 17, 1943
- Date Of Death: September 25, 2020
- State: Michigan
The Lord Jesus called Ken to his heavenly home on Friday, September 25, 2020.
Ken was born July 17, 1943 in Kalamazoo to Claude and Angeline (De Haan) Fletcher.
As a boy, Ken loved playing sports and couldn’t wait for the park to open each morning so he could play ball. As a youth, he often worked early hours in celery farms. He attended the Comstock Christian School and Kalamazoo Christian High School where he graduated in 1961. While in high school he was very active in student government and basketball, helping his team win the Class C State Championship in 1959. During his sophomore year of high school, he saw a young lady playing the piano in the chapel; he and Judy have dated ever since.
Both Ken and Judy attended Calvin College where Ken played basketball and baseball while pursuing a degree in Education, majoring in Mathematics. He married his sweetheart on June 13, 1964. After graduating from Calvin, he and Judy moved to Ann Arbor where Ken earned a Master’s degree in Athletic Administration at the University of Michigan. He then started his teaching and coaching career at Kalamazoo Christian High School, where he launched the P.E. and intermural programs. He also started the computer program in the early 1980s. He continued to broaden his own education and received a Master’s degree in Mathematics from Western Michigan University. During his 40-year career, Ken taught many subjects, coached several teams, and served as Athletic Director for 30 of the 40 years. The church was a central part of Ken’s life, attending Heritage Christian Reformed Church where he served as Elder and led Men’s Bible study and small groups for many years.
Ken retired from education in 2006, enjoying travel, spending time with family, and serving the Lord through various ministries. He especially enjoyed time with grandchildren and great-grandchildren, attending sporting events, concerts, and youth fairs.
Ken leaves behind his loving wife of 56 years, Judy (Oosterhouse) and his children, Dan (Lori) Fletcher, Dr. Sara (James) Patterson, Jr., and Mary (Paul) Schuurmans, 8 grand-children and 6 great-grandchildren: Paul Barnett (Isaac, Asher, Eva); Rev. Jim and Kari Hollendoner (Joey, Teddy, Jack); Ken and Sarah Wojnarowski; James Patterson III; Fletcher Patterson; Sophie Patterson; Anneka Schuurmans; Liam Schuurmans. Surviving siblings are Bruce (Ruth) Fletcher, Phil (Sherri) Fletcher, Sue Fletcher; and many nieces and nephews.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents; toddler brother, Jimmy Fletcher; granddaughter, Lynn Barnett; and his in-laws Hilbert and Gladys Oosterhouse.
