I still can't believe Ken is gone.  And today is the one-year anniversary of his death.  We lost a great man that day. 
Carol Anne Smart

I was just thinking bout him at work my condolences to the family he taught me a whole lot I really enjoyed his conversations I must say he’s the only man that really  took the time out to explain basketball ball to me we use to watch the Warriors he really liked that Steph & many more. Rest Easy Mr. Ken & thank you for being a great person I have a bunch of awesome memories.

It was an honor to work for Ken and his wife. One of those days while painting, he promised to take me to a restaurant that has the best burritos in town. And he was absolutely right. I have yet to find a place with a better burrito. He was an amazing person. Had the best conversations with him and always showed humility. You will be missed Ken

Ken Sokol was not just the patriarch of the May Company in California; he was the patriarch of my life and destiny. 

Ken was a great leader. With his firm and fair management style he nurtured and guided me to be the best I could be…as he did for so many of us.

To understand, Ken’s impact on the lives on those who worked for him, I need only tell you that thirty years after his retirement, I was called upon to notify eleven people who would want to be informed on any change in Ken’s wellbeing. 

As Ken climbed the corporate ladder, reaching greater responsibility, he brought each of his staff with him. We were a team, moving forward in the same direction to achieve success. He was proud of our accomplishments. 

While Ken was our boss, he was also our friend. He treated us all with respect and kindness. He recognized each member of his team and thanked us for our contributions. 

I would like to share with my favorite Ken Sokol anecdote.  In 1975, Ken taught me a valuable lesson.  He was General Merchandise Manager of the Budget Store and had bestowed upon me my first promotion to Divisional Merchandise Manager of the Women’s Budget Store.  The Budget Store was located in the basement of the massive seven-story, 1,000,000 square foot Downtown May Company Department Store. Ken, at the top of the stairs, greeted each member of his staff, promptly at 8:30am with, “Good morning.”  On my second day as Women’s Budget Store DMM, I arrived at 8:33am.  He said to me, “Young lady, you’re late.”  I was humiliated, and I was never late again.  I have incorporated punctuality into my permanent code of conduct.  

My other Ken Sokol story has to do with compensation.  After a successful visit from David Farrell, the brilliant Chairman of the Board of May Department Stores, Ken called me into his office.  He said, “Sit down.  I have some good news.”  He explained I would be getting a raise that would almost double my salary.  My response was, “I can’t thank you enough.”  To whic

On June 24, 2021, Ken hosted a May Company reunion attended by life-long friend Marty Rothman, whose birthday was eight days after Ken's April 3rd birthday.  Also in attendance was Marty's wife Susan Rothman as well as Carol Anne Smart and Lyn Edward Schafer.  Coincidently, June 24th, was Carol Anne & Lyn's 49th wedding anniversary, so it was a triple celebration. 

OBITUARY

Kenneth Fischell Sokol

3 April, 1929 – 27 December, 2022

Palm Downtown Mortuary & Cemetery

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