Kenneth Ken E. Briggs Sr.

Kenneth ("Ken") E. Briggs, Sr. of Sterling Heights, MI passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home Friday, July 29, 2011. He was born September 11, 1932 in Clawson Township, MI. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955. He was a passionate, talented and lifelong golfer, and could be found on the links whenever there was even the slightest glimmer of nice weather. He is survived by his children Cindy (Vic Doucette) Briggs, Kenneth Jr. (Debbie), Michael (Cleo Parker), and Diane (Christopher) Comerford; seven grandchildren; four great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Dolores; daughter Laura Ann; sister Sherrie Lou Koger. A memorial visitation will be Monday 2-8:00 PM, with a memorial service Tuesday at 11:00 AM at Resurrection Funeral Home 40800 Hayes Rd., Clinton Township, MI. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Children’s Leukemia Foundation of Michigan, 5455 Corporate Drive, Suite 306, Troy, MI 48098 would be appreciated.

He will be remembered as being highly organized, practical and realistic. He was a person who always carried a strong sense of duty with him throughout his life. Possessed with traditional “old school” morals, Ken was an individual who clearly communicated to those around him just who he was and what he was all about. Everyone acquainted with Ken knew him as a well-respected man who was a stable force in his community.

His parents were Floyd and Lena Smith Briggs. Ken was raised in Washington Township, Michigan. Even as a youngster, Kenneth learned to be objective and decisive. His faith in the principles of authority and dependability was something that he carried with him throughout his life.

As a young boy, Ken enjoyed being part of teams and organizations with other kids who shared similar interests. But by far his greatest passion was playing golf. Not only the captain and star of his high school golf team, he also spent his teenage years caddying at Oakland Hills Country Club. One of his proudest accomplishments was winning the annual Detroit Times golf tournament when he was only 17 years old. Ken also played clarinet in the high school band, where he developed a lifelong love of music. He graduated from Hazel Park High School in 1950.

Ken was sociable and approachable. Because he was always so straightforward in how he approached relationships, friends and family knew that what they saw was always what they got. He enjoyed the camaraderie of being with a group of friends. When Ken was a member of a group, his interaction worked to keep the others grounded (and laughing!). Those close to Kenneth came to expect his high standards of performance. As an adult, some of his friends were John Barge, Jesse Wyka, Jim Paric, Jim Smith, and the late Jim Parke.

On December 20, 1952, Ken married his beloved wife, Dolores Makos. They were married for 51 years before Dolores preceded him in death on November 1, 2004.

Ken and his wife Dolores were blessed with five children, two sons, Kenneth Jr. and Michael, and three daughters, Cindy, Diane, and the late Laura Ann. They were also blessed with 7 grandchildren: Jason C, Kenneth III, Jason B, Brent, Amber, Travis, Dylan, and 4 great grandchildren. There are also two more expected great grandchildren on the way.

Being a hard worker who praised efficiency, Ken was always striving to make improvements where they were necessary. He was able to analyze situations and problems, keeping everything and everyone on track. An excellent project supervisor, Ken was a person who could quickly make decisions based on the information available. He worked cooperatively and expected the same from his colleagues. In both his personal and professional environments, Ken upheld his standards. His primary occupation was as a purchasing manager. He was employed for over 30 years by Aerofab, Inc. in Ferndale, MI.

Ken was a proud US Navy veteran. He served aboard ship during the Korean conflict. He was in the Navy from 1951 to 1955, stationed in Newport, RI, and away at sea on the USS Cascade and the USS Hale. Through his hard work and dedication, he achieved the rank of Yeomen Petty Officer 3rd Class. He received several awards recognizing his service, including a Good Conduct medal, China Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.

Ken approached his leisure time in the same manner that he approached his life. A person who enjoyed being orderly and one who understood the nature of things, he appreciated the hours he was able to devote to his various hobbies. He loved to read books, mostly science fiction, fantasy and action adventures. Ken was content to enjoy his favorite pastimes alone, but was also willing to share his interests with others. He was a devoted sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were golf, hockey, football, baseball and the Olympics.

Being generous with his time and energy, Ken liked to belong to a variety of groups and organizations. He was a vocal leader who enjoyed being a part of things. His desire to uphold traditions and his ability to take charge of any type of project made him a tremendous asset. In high school, Kenneth was a member and leader of the golf club. Throughout his later years, Ken was an active member of the Children's Leukemia Foundation, spending two years as president of the board of directors. He also bowled on leagues for years with both family and friends.

One of Ken's favorite activities was summer vacations with his family. Favorite vacations included Niagara Falls, Mackinac Island, Cedar Point, North Carolina and, more recently, Florida.

Ken was a lover of cats, and his favorite was his current pet, Marbles. He adopted her in 2005 after his wife Dolores died, to keep him company. She was with him when he passed and throughout his long battle against cancer. Prior to Marbles, he adopted his son Michael's cat Jackpot, who turned out to be an ornery cuss to everyone but him.

When Ken's retirement finally arrived in 1998, he was well prepared. It provided him an opportunity to hit the golf course even more frequently. Every year he went on a golf excursion to North Carolina with a group of 3 friends, a trip he always looked forward to. He also took up bike riding for pleasure and exercise, and could often be seen tooling around the neighborhood on his old-style bicycle, the type he had as a kid with foot brakes, a comfortable seat, and no gears.

Ken passed away on July 29, 2011, in the house where he raised his family and lived for over 50 years, after a strong and valiant fight against lung cancer. He is survived by his four children, seven grandchildren, and four great grandchildren, with two more great grandchildren on the way. Services were held at Resurrection Funeral Home.