Kenneth was born October 6, 1923 at Adena, CO and grew up on a farm southeast of Ft. Morgan, CO. He attended the grades 1st through 8th at the small Adena school and completed his high school education at Ft. Morgan. Stories that have been told through the years prove that Kenneth was always ready and willing to liven any situation with either a practical joke or humor.


After high school, Kenneth joined the army in December of 1942 and was honorably discharged in November of 1945. He was always proud of his service to his country and carried a strong sense of patriotism throughout his entire life and was an active member of the VFW.


During his army career he married Jean Elizabeth Mason on May 22, 1943 and shared their lives for 49 years before she died August 1992.


After his discharge from the army, Kenneth and Jean farmed in northeastern Colorado for many years, raising six children, Kirby, Marva, William, Susan, Kenneth Jr. and Robin. In 1967 he moved his family to the Western Slope and began working for the Colorado Department of Highways until he retired in 1988 with over 21 years of service. He was a strong family man, maintaining strong ties with his many brothers and sisters, always ready for a visit with his children and grandchildren. His greatest delight of late was to hold the great-grandchildren.


After retirement he moved to Craig, CO and worked part-time for the Department of Highways maintaining the rest area between Hayden and Craig, until a stroke in 1999 forced him to slow down.


In the fall of 2003, he moved to Eads, CO to live with his youngest daughter, Robin.


One of Kennys many interests included hunting. Each year he would go to hunting camp on the White River near Buford, CO with his brothers, nephews and sons to hunt. One year later in life, his brother Jim was not able to go up on the hill to hunt so he was staying with Kenny. Jim and Kenny decided to go out and do some road hunting. After driving around for a couple of hours and not having any luck, Kenny suddenly stopped, bailed out of the vehicle and started studying the ground. He motioned for Jim to get out and come have a look. Kenny says, Jim, I cant make out these tracks. Jim looks around and says, What tracks! Kenny says, These tracks right here, I cant make out if they are for a Chevy or a Ford!


Kenneth was also an avid bingo player. As an Odd Fellows member, he called the bingo for the lodge for many years. Very seldom did he miss any of the three nights of weekly bingo held in Craig. And if anyone was visiting, he insisted you go along. Beware though if you didnt pay attention, cause he was not only watching his many cards, he was also keeping an eagle eye on your cards.


Of 14 children, Kenneth is survived by three brothers, Frank of Ft. Morgan, CO; Lloyd of Hoyt, CO; Wilbur Roper of Citrus, CA and one sister, Dorothy of Manassas, VA. He was preceded in death by his wife Jean; his daughter Susan, and his son Kirby. Surviving family includes daughter Marva of Pooler, GA; son William of Eads, CO; son Kenneth Jr. of Denver, CO; daughter Robin of Eads, CO; 14 grandchildren and 21great-grandchildren.


Kenneth will always be remembered for that mischievous look in his eye that always gave him away, that he had something up his sleeve.


Funeral services were held on Monday, December 31, 2007 ath the Brown Funeral Home Chapel in Eads, CO with Pastor Richard Zabriskie officiating. Musical selections, The Old Rugged Cross and In The Sweet By & By were sung by Pat Zabriskie, Cheryl Wyatt and Kathy Shade, accompanied by Jimmy Brown on the piano. Graveside committal services were held on Wednesday, January 2, 2008 at the Craig Cemetery in Craig, CO. The Samuel Havenga VFW Post #4265 provided complete military honors. Serving as casketbearers were: Oscar Ridgeway, Ronnie Ridgeway, Tony Sanchez, Lee Richardson, Trace Musgrave, Chris Sanchez, Joe Musgrave, Tommy Vernetti, Scot Sanchez, Wes Musgrave, Seth Musgrave, Cole Musgrave and Dale Musgrave.


Memorial contributions may be made to the Samuel Havenga VFW Post #4265 in Craig, CO or the Weisbrod Auxiliary in Eads, CO.