- Date Of Birth: June 23, 1941
- Date Of Death: April 18, 2020
- State: Idaho
Kenneth Brown, 78, a resident of Wendell, passed away on Saturday, April 18, 2020 at his home in Wendell.
Kenneth Raymond Brown was born in Los Angeles, California, on June 23, 1941, to Lorraine Eleanor Morris Brown. Two years later, Ken’s younger brother, Ronald Vernon Brown, was born. Soon afterwards, Ken and Ron’s parents divorced. Ken had no memory at all of his mother. When Ken was 10 years old his father married Florence Pascoe, who loved and cherished Ken and his younger brother. A devoted son, Ken was always eager to be of any help to her; and true to his nature, was always kind and thoughtful of her.
Ken and Ron had a very special relationship, which developed during their early childhood years when they both experienced feelings of uncertainty, confusion, and insecurity. They were protective of each other and grew up enjoying a very close companionship which continued for the rest of Ken’s life. Ken frequently gave his siblings counsel that proved very helpful in their lives.
Ken’s dad and new mom had two children together: Gary Stanley and Susan Florence. Ken was the best big brother to them.
From the very beginning of Ken’s life, he worked very hard. He and Ron had a paper route together. Later, at the age 18, Ken worked for Mr. Garmin, who operated a business manufacturing stencils. Ken drove all over Southern California selling stencils to businesses and schools. is work ethic produced some success for Ken and Mr. Garmin.
When Ken was 19 years old, he married Sharon Jo William. They had four children together: Kenneth Robert, Charles Louis, Brenda Jo, and Daniel Evan. They have 9 grandchildren. Ken and Sharon later divorced.
The aerospace industry was booming in the Los Angeles are in the early 1960’s and Ken went to work for Rocket Dyne where, with some training, he began his career as a machine programmer. He possessed a strong gift of understanding everything mechanical. He was truly brilliant, ingenious, creative and meticulous with anything mechanical. He loved machines of all kinds. He could repair anything, and if he didn’t know how, he would learn how. Always generous with his time and means; he was happy and patient sharing his expertise with others.
His career took him to Bountiful, Utah, in 1981, where he worked for E-Systems (Raytheon). In March 1993, Ken married Karlee Hopkin Ellison. Upon Ken’s retirement in 2001, he and Karlee purchased the Wendell Laundromat and moved to Wendell. Using his mechanical skills, Ken kept all the machines in running condition. Wendell was a comfortable place for Ken and Karlee, and he loved the local residents.
Ken was fortunate to have Karlee by his side. She has been his loving, hard-working, devoted companion – just an amazing and faithful soul who cared for Ken wisely and lovingly to the end. Ken accepted his nearing death graciously.
Ken was a good man. He lived his life with unfailing integrity, a generous heart, kindness, frugality, self-sufficiently, and a hilarious dry with and sense of humor. More than anything, he loved his family. He is loved dearly, and we will miss him until we meet again.
