Kenneth Owen Brewer

Kenneth "Ken" Brewer, 62, passed away on May 12, 2024 at home in Loxahatchee, Florida after a brave battle with cancer. Born in Medford, Oregon to parents George Brewer (passed 2006) and Carolene Brewer (passed 2022), he was the middle child to older brother Darrell Brewer (passed 2001) and little sister Michele Shafer (living).

Kenny grew up in Eagle Point, Oregon; Sela, Washington; and Sandpoint, Idaho. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1982. After graduating from Naval Nuclear Power School, which is considered to be among the most grueling schools in the U.S. military, he would go on to work on S8G submarines. Earning the rank of MM1/SS (Nuclear Machinist's Mate, First Class, Submarine qualified), he would do both mechanical maintenance and operate engine room systems of the nuclear power plant. He served on several vessels, including the USS Florida SSBN-728 and USS Alabama SSBN-731, both Ohio-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines. In 1988, after six years of service, Ken received an honorable discharge.

As a civilian, Ken would take his skills and training from the Navy and spend the rest of his career working at nuclear power plants across the country. In 1988, he began working for Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), and moved to Homestead, Florida. He held the roles of Chemistry Supervisor and Reactor Services Project Manager for much of his career, with most of his time spent at Turkey Point Nuclear Generating Station. His coworkers have praised him for being not only a great supervisor but also a friend who was always willing to teach anyone who wanted to learn. He would retire from FPL in 2020, after more than 30 years of service.

His daughter would always say that her father was the smartest person she'd ever met. He had an innate ability to build just about anything, often self-taught through reading alone. He built much of his own furniture in his house: coffee tables, end tables, entertainment center complete with four roman-style columns and bookshelves, and a bunk bed that detached into two beds, all with ornate details of his own design. He once built an entire workbench, purpose built for his woodworking projects, because the ones he could purchase just weren't right for what he needed. Anything he wanted done, he'd do it himself to ensure it was done exactly how he wanted it. This extended to brick laying patios, tile-laying an entire house, and renovating kitchen cabinets and shelving.

His passion for cars was well known and as an old sailor buddy of his put it, "Ken was always wrenching on something." In his younger years, he proudly owned an early 1970s Pontiac LeMans he painted Imron Green (green being his favorite color), a Pontiac Fiero, a Chevy Camaro, and a red Jeep he rebuilt and painted green. In 1993, he'd swap fast cars for a pick-up truck. He bought a Chevy Silverado to tow his new bigger boat, both painted in - you guessed it - green! In his later years, he would move on to Porsches, buying a mid-1980s 911, a mid-1980s 930s (a turbocharged 911) that he would rebuild and race many times over the years, and a Cayenne S Turbo.

Ken's other hobbies throughout his life included boating and scuba diving the beautiful reefs off the coast of Florida, hunting, and collecting guns just like his older brother, whom he looked up to so fondly. He was a "Trekkie," a Star Trek fan throughout the generations of the series, and had a passion for history, particularly for World War II, military aircraft, and warships.

Ken was well-liked, except for the times he'd bring his "special hot wings" to a party, which were never for the faint-hearted. If you could stand the heat, though, they were the best grilled chicken wings you'd ever eat. He was very well known among the Thai restaurant community throughout South Florida, seeing how it was his favorite cuisine. When he found a great Thai restaurant, he practically became family amongst the employees as he'd be there so often. He'd bring friends and family along with him to his favorite restaurant in Homestead, reminding them that the chef was actually from Laos and not Thailand, but the food was just as good if not better!

Ken was a kind and caring person loved by all those around him. His legacy lives on in the hearts of all those fortunate enough to meet and know him.

He is survived by his wife, Emi; his daughter, Celeste; grandchildren, Wyatt and Francesca; sister, Michele Shafer; and nephews Travis Brewer and Codey Shafer

For donations in memory of Kenneth at:

https://fundraise.lungevity.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.personalCampaign&participantID=73655