Mr. Kenneth Raymond Marple

As a teenager, he moved with his family to Pomona, CA. After graduating from Pomona Catholic High School, he joined the Marine Corps and became a reservist. He then relocated to Fresno. Through an electrical apprenticeship program, he worked his way to a B.S. Degree in electrical engineering at California State University, Fresno, joined the Air National Guard and became a pilot.

Back in Fresno and with a lifelong love of flying, Ken was a flight instructor in his spare time and bought an acrobatic airplane with a friend. He was very active in the IBEW Union Hall Local 100, taught electrical engineering at Fresno City College, worked as an operations manager for the Fresno Bee until his retirement in 2000.

Not used to idleness, Ken embarked on various electrical projects at Diablo Canyon, on solar farms, and at Electrical Motor Shop. He also farmed and managed his rental properties.

The family wants to thank Kaiser Permanente, Davita Dialysis Center, and Nancy Hinds Hospice for their compassionate care.

He is survived by his children, Kenneth Marple Jr., Michelle Thornton and her husband Doug, Michael Marple and his wife April, and Melissa Marple; ten grandchildren; and his sisters, Sue Sipe, Paula Crandall, and Neoka Marple-Apple.

Visitation will be held at Whitehurst Sullivan Bums & Blair Funeral Home, on Thursday, April 30, 2015, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. followed by Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Fresno, CA, on Friday, May, 1, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow at St Peter's Cemetery, 264 N. Blythe Ave., Fresno.