I just found out about Ken's passing. My father David Dillon was his college roommate at Purdue. Ken and his mother were very dear to me. My mom and I are saddened to learn of this and wish comfort to Jesse and all who loved him

I first met Ken 38 years ago.  A group of us were telling jokes to one another. Ken, standing nearby, said, 'Excuse me.. did you ever hear the one about....?'  We were instant friends!

Our interest in vintage cars was an everlasting bond. He accompanied me when I bought by '57 Ford Skyliner & I accompanied him when he purchased his '40 Buick in Sonora.  I recall my Ranchero filled with spare Buick parts on the way home. The rear bumper almost hit the road we had so many parts. Over the years, we attended hundreds of auto swap meets & car shows. I particularly remember Friendship Days in Palo Alto.  We both won trophies in 1989 at the Valco Village Car Show.

Ken and Norma Meeker helped me professionally after I was laid off. With their assistance, I landed positions at GE Intersil and later at Harris Corp. Ken & Norma were invaluable friends... and so much fun to be around.

Ken was kind, generous and always loved to laugh. Ken was family.



I first met Ken in 1985 at a car show in Santa Cruz & we became instant friends.
 
Random memories from the past thirty years....

- Ken called me after every episode of Upstairs Downstairs to laugh about the campy dialogue.

- Four years ago, Ken (70) shared a birthday with my Mom (92) and  arranged a dinner party. Thanks to the attendees: Mom, Jesse, Carol, Connie, Gary and of course Ken. 

- Camping in The Pinnacles with a group of 30 people.... Ken brought a linen table cloths & candelabras.. just to impress. The center of attention, Ken kept everyone entertained around the campfire.

- Clemac (aka Carnac) at every professional event was predictable yet expected. Always hilarious!

- First prize dressed as Vicki Lawrence from Momma's Family at a local bar on Halloween.  Following year as the Statue of Liberty, he did not win.

-Arranged a memorial bench in Davenport for Norma Meeker who died so young. Norma & Ken were professional partners and personally the best of friends. So many good memories of them both!

- Ken always made my parents laugh with his off-beat/off-color jokes.

- Ken brought his Mom to San Jose to get her settled in an assisted living home. I will always remember our trip to San Juan Bautista. 

- Parties, parties, parties: Christmas, Thanksgiving, NY Eve, Indianapolis 500, Kentucky Derby, Halloween..  year after year after year.

Always funny, generous, self-depredating and up-beat. Ken, we will miss you always!

Good bye old friend.

Joe & Gary





I met Ken when I attended a Buick Club event at his home with my sister and brother-in-law. and we became good friends over the years. He was a gentleman in the old-fashioned sense:  a kind, polite  and caring gentle man. He remembered birthdays, came to my parties and gatherings, and  brought groups of friends to the Filoli gardens where I was a guided docent.  I know he loved to entertain and it was sad for everyone when he could no longer be a generous host as he used to.

I shared Ken's love of antique shopping  in Niles and browsing in the small shops along 99 in the Central Valley, on long road trips in his Buick limo.  He loved to drive that limo.

I will remember and cherish that Ken invited me to  be a new friend and part of his larger circle when we shared no direct connection other than those friends...and I will miss him.

OBITUARY

Kenneth Edward Clemens

September 13, 1942 – April 15, 2018

Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary

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