Kenneth Dean King

Ken King, 74, a true original and beloved character, passed away in Silverdale, Wash. on February 25, 2024, leaving behind a legacy filled with laughter, ingenious projects, and a family bonded by shared adventures and unconditional love.

Born in Oklahoma City, Okla. Ken was preceded in death by his father William King and his mother Helen Lester. He is survived by his devoted wife of 43 years, Carole, brother James Rodgers, stepdaughters Nadine Allen (Mike) and Lenora "Charlie" Larson, and cherished grandchildren Trevor, Nick, and Liza.

Ken and Carole built a life rich in creativity and joy and grounded in their love for nature and family. Together, they transformed two-and-a-half acres of untamed wilderness into a manicured woodland oasis in Kitsap County, complete with bridges, water features, and meandering paths beneath the canopy. Their shared adventures ranged from countless camping excursions to daily morning coffees, weaving a rich tapestry of love, service, and companionship.

A man of many talents, Ken was affectionately known as the neighborhood "MacGyver," always ready with a clever solution for any problem. His ability to create something out of nothing was legendary, whether it was repurposing materials for his and Carole's ever-evolving garden and whimsical collection of meticulously repainted gnomes, or conjuring an elaborate Christmas display of 15,000 twinkling lights.

Yet, it was the simpler traditions that held a special place in the hearts of those closest to him. Christmas mornings were legendary, marked by Ken’s signature biscuits and gravy—a dish that became as much a part of the holiday as the tree itself. This tradition extended to their cherished camping trips, where he nourished his friends and family with not just food, but with stories, laughter, and love. His grandchildren, in particular, reveled in these moments, and looked forward to his signature dish every year.

Ken had a mischievous spirit, which he shared through belly laughs and campfire stories, driving a car through the main hall of his high school with his wild cousins to nearly derailing a train with a penny. He also loved to play card and board games with friends and family, including cherished friends Ron and Mary Paschke (“Play Nine”), Pete and Cora Uhler (“May I”) and Randy and Michelle Strassburg (“Divorce and Marbles”).

Before he created magic in gardens and light displays, Ken dedicated years of his life to the military and law enforcement, starting in the Navy as a sonar tech on the USS Puffer during the Vietnam War, then continuing with the Coast Guard as a reservist. He earned his degree in law enforcement, serving as the Chief of Police for the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe before working security at Bangor. He switched careers in 1989, and retired from Watson Wood Furniture Systems Company in 2011.

Ken's resilience was as remarkable as his creativity, surviving numerous surgeries, third and fourth-degree burns on his right hand and arm, and a hair-raising fall on a submarine. His love for life was infectious, whether he was sharing his passion for music, teaching his daughters how to cook “Dad’s Mess,” or simply enjoying the tranquility of being in, on, or near the water.

Though he loved to spiff up in one of his many classy dress outfits, he was at heart a socks-and-sandals man, a lover of animals—especially his police dog Eric, who was too gentle for the force—a generous and practical gift-giver, and a man who wore his heart on his flannel sleeve. Ken loved movies, leaving behind a collection of hundreds of DVDS. He was an unabashed believer in the power of bigger stories and the importance of big emotions, and he connected deeply with the idea that life is about more than what we see.

Ken's legacy is not just in the wonders he created or the lessons he taught, but in the love he shared and the assurance that he was loved in return, a sentiment he cherished deeply. His presence will be missed, but his spirit will continue to inspire all who knew him to believe in bigger things, to build, to create, and to love without reserve.

.A gathering to celebrate Ken's remarkable life will be held at 4 p.m., on May 4, 2024, following a Military Honor Service at VFW Post 239 in Bremerton, Wash. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to VFW Post 239.