James "Ken" Bartholet

James Kennedy “Ken” Bartholet was born on December 20th, 1927 to Rose and Urban C. Bartholet of Yakima, Washington. Urban was a banker and the family eventually grew to three boys: Francis (“Frank”), James (“Ken”), and Urban C. Jr. (“Bud”).

Ken attended Marquette School, a Jesuit school in Yakima, and graduated in 1945. Ken joined the U.S. Navy, serving from 1945-1946, and again from 1953-1954. During this time Ken completed a B.A. in Business Administration from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. Following his Naval Service, Ken continued his education at UC Berkeley, completing an M.A. in Economics.

While at the U.S. Navy and stationed at the Alameda Naval Station, Ken met his future wife Patricia McCluskey (“Paddy”) who was working for Chronicle Classified when Ken was looking for an apartment in San Francisco. USN Ensign James Kennedy Bartholet married Patricia McCluskey in 1953 and the couple enjoyed 57 years of marriage until Paddy’s passing in 2010.

Paddy and Ken settled in Santa Clara, California, and started a family, raising two sons: James (“Jamie”) and Kevin. Ken enjoyed a very lengthy and productive career working for Santa Clara County, eventually becoming the Health Services Administrator for the county until his retirement in 1993.

Ken was well-known by his family, friends, and the community at large to be completely selfless and a person that focused exclusively on others. Ken was a humble man, never boasting about his many accomplishments and career successes.

Ken and Paddy were active at the St. Justin Parish Community in Santa Clara, where Ken served on the Parish Council and formed a Small Faith Community that thrived for decades under Ken’s continued leadership.

Ken was an inspiration to everyone who had the pleasure to know him by his devotion to Paddy, his family, and his community. Ken’s level of commitment to his responsibilities was seen as “off the charts”.

Ken’s ability to thrive in leadership positions throughout his life is undoubtedly due to the kindness that all could see in Ken. He was a remarkable man, and we will miss him very much. But we are also happy that Ken and Paddy are now reunited in Heaven.

Ken is survived by his sons Jamie and Kevin, one grandson, and one great-granddaughter.