Obituary: Martin, Kenneth Eugene, Sr.
Age 88
He passed away February 5, 2015 in Spokane, Washington.
Ken went to school until the eighth grade.
He helped his dad dig coal to help support the family.
At the age of 17, Ken enlisted in the United States Navy and served on destroyers as a Seaman First Class in the South Pacific.
He was a Gunners Mate and was proud that he helped liberate the Philippine Islands during World War II.
He left the service in 1945 when the war was over.
He learned how to fly in 1947 but never got his pilot’s license.
Ken moved to Washington in 1955 and met his wife Dorothy.
He worked for the City of Kennewick in the street department until he transferred to the water department and became a certified water plant operator.
He studied at night to learn the math and science needed to pass the certification test.
His beloved wife died in 1973 and he never remarried.
Ken hurt his back lifting a manhole cover which caused him to retire early on a disability pension.
He enjoyed driving back to Colorado to visit his mother until her death in 1997.
Alzheimer’s stole his independence when he was 76 and he lived with his son’s family in Cheney, Washington for six years and then lived in an adult family home in the Tri-Cities.
He enjoyed visits with family and watching Westerns on TV.
Ken became sick at Thanksgiving with aspirating pneumonia and fought valiantly, but in the end, his body gave up.
He was surrounded by his family when his spirit left his worn out body and is now dancing in Heaven with all of his family and friends who were waiting for him to join them.
Ken will be missed, but his legacy lives on in his children, their children, and their children.
Thank you Papa for your guidance, love and support through the years.
You were always there whenever anyone needed a helping hand.
We love you very much and we will all be OK until we too leave this world for a better place and see you again.
We know that you will be watching over us until then.
Ken was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Martin; mother, Nellie Dale; sisters, Mary McCurdy and Freda Coble; and a brother, Alfred Martin.
He is survived by his son, Ken Martin, Jr.; daughters, Glenda Murphy and Gay Graham; grandchildren, Bob Lozier, Terry Lozier, Larry Lozier, Katie Collins, Dawn Brooks, Jessica Marvin, Brandon McAllister, and Kenny Martin, III; great-grandchildren, Kelsie Lozier, Kaylee Lozier, Miles Lozier, Karly Lozier, Dalton Lozier, Peyton Lozier, Brock Lozier, Jared Boleware, Mersadies Dove, Dakota Dove, Amity Marll, Genova Marll, Catrina Brooks and Hailey Marvin; sisters, Neva Qualls and Shirley Deckett.
Funeral services will be Monday, February 16, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at Mueller’s Chapel of the Falls, 314 W. First Avenue in Kennewick with interment to follow at Riverview Heights Cemetery in Kennewick.
Visitations will be at the funeral home Sunday, February 15, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Monday, February 16, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. until the service.
Memorial contributions may be made in Ken’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the Wounded Warrior Project.
You are invited to share a memory on the Tribute Wall at www.muellersfuneralhomes.com MUELLER’S CHAPEL OF THE FALLS, Kennewick, WA