Kenneth Walton Ransom

Kenneth “Ken” Walton Ransom was reunited in heaven with his beloved bride Sally on April 14, 2023 just days before his 88th birthday. Ken passed peacefully in his Lakewood, home, surrounded by family. A beloved father, and proud Papa, Ken was preceded in death by wife Sally, sister Connie McCormick & parents Walton and Alice Ransom. Ken is survived by daughters, Diane Palazzo and Karen Ransom, granddaughters, Kira, and Alyssa Palazzo, and son-in-law, Bob Palazzo.

Born April 26, 1935, in Iola Kansas, Ken spent his formative years in Coffeyville, Kansas, where he attended Coffeyville Community College before following his mentor, Chuck Byers, to the University of Colorado in 1954 to study vocal music. In 1956, Ken decided he “needed to mature” and enlisted in the Navy where he served on the USS Epping Forest. After serving for two years and despite being sought after to begin Navy officer candidate training, he returned to CU in 1958 where he shifted his focus to music education and met his future bride Sally, who was also in the music education school. Ken and Sally graduated from CU in 1959 and were married on August 23rd the same year.

Ken taught vocal music for Denver Public Schools for 31½ years until retiring in 1991. A talented tenor and educator, Ken inspired, motivated, and encouraged innumerable students. His choirs performed throughout the Denver area for nursing homes, The Brown Palace Champagne Cascade, and countless others. Ken’s choirs also performed at Disneyland in the mid-80s and often traveled to perform with the Aspen High School choir as well as competing in All City Choir, All State Choir every year. A student of his from North High School said of Ken, “This amazingly gentle, humorous, generous, loving, musical man was one of the main father figures of my high school life” Most of Ken’s students have said they still sing today because of Mr. Ransom!

An avid outdoor sportsman, Ken was known as a daredevil and a showman, even when offstage. Whether taking his family to Mexico or Lake Powell, Ken could be found cliff jumping, deep sea fishing from a 16 ft ski boat, waterskiing - Ken did it all, with surprising athleticism. Later in life he found a passion in long distance cycling - having completed the annual Ride the Rockies in 1989, 1990 & 1991. At the age of 60, Ken decided to ride his bike across the U.S. He rode over 2600 miles from San Diego, California to St Augustine, Florida while Sally drove the ‘sag wagon’ - which was a huge accomplishment for her. This was a triumph he proudly shared for decades afterwards.

Church choir was also a priority for Ken. He started at age 5, sitting on his mother’s lap every Sunday in the choir. Ken had the voice of an angel - his renowned professor, Chuck Byers, once said, “there may be strong tenors again, but there will never be another Ken Ransom”. For over 30 years, Ken & Sally sang in both the Lakewood and Wheat Ridge United Methodist Church choirs. They enjoyed Sunday services and the lifelong friendships they made performing together.

Ken & Sally loved their daughters and together they enjoyed many winters snowmobiling, ice skating, cross-country and downhill skiing. Summers were spent near the water whenever possible but camping and RVing were a huge part of his life including exploring the desert southwest, the deep south, and more - but above all, his family was his pride & joy.

Ken will be sorely missed but the time has come to say, in his own unforgettable words, "Bye, I love you"...until we meet again.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.advantagerunyan-stevenson.com for the Ransom family.