Ken Lewis

With heavy hearts and profound sadness, family and friends are mourning the passing of Ken Lewis, 81, of East Wenatchee. Ken was a happy guy and his last months were spent playing pool and cards with his friends. He enjoyed spending time with his family and his great grand babies were his special joy. Fishing was a favorite pastime and he got to enjoy a trip to the far north of Canada last summer to catch some whopper salmon. Ken was born in Okanogan, Washington, on August 8, 1942. He had great memories of growing up there and of his younger years. The many baseball seasons when his dad coached his teams. Days were spent as a family fishing at Jameson Lake. He attended Okanogan schools where he was an outstanding athlete, lettering in three sports each year of high school. He loved reminiscing about the many state tournaments etc., he played in with his teams. In 1961, Ken married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Wright. Ken and Shirley moved to Wenatchee to continue his education. While attending college he worked for Silver Eagle Trucking. That was the beginning of a truck driving career that stretched over 50 years. But what he felt was his real job and one that he loved, was his time as a firefighter for the City of Wenatchee. He worked there for 24 years until forced to retire due to a disability. He stayed busy driving a truck on his days off to earn some extra money. He was rarely without at least two jobs. Daughter, Lori, was born in 1962, and son, Doug, followed in 1966. Those were fun, busy years with him coaching Lori’s softball teams, following Lori to shows with her horse, watching Doug’s baseball, swimming, and camping with friends, which included many trips you Hood Canal and the ocean beaches. Ken continued his love of sports throughout his life, playing fast pitch, slow pitch and senior slow pitch softball, where he was selected to join the Wenatchee Valley Senior Slow Pitch Hall of Fame. Later, he excelled at tennis, a game he took up as a snowbird. He has many medals from tournaments played while in Arizona. Needless to say, he was a huge fan of the Seahawks and the Mariners and rarely missed a game. He loved to be outside and was an avid sportsman. Hunting season was looked forward to from one year to the next. He loved camping with the guys and enjoyed the camaraderie they carried with them throughout the year. Ken was a man of quiet strength. He touched the lives of all who knew him with his smile and the twinkle in his eye. He will be deeply missed. He is survived by Shirley, his wife of 62 years; daughter, Lori Spiry (Pat); granddaughters Samantha Young (Andrew) and Ashton Staudacher (Ryan); great-granddaughters, Norah Young and Sloane Staudacher; great-grandsons, Myles Young and Callen Staudacher; one sister, Joann Didra. He is predeceased by his parents, his son and brother. Our heartfelt thank you goes out to Dr. Anton Zavoyskikh and Confluence Health Hospital, Home Health and Hospice services. They were our rock. Per Ken's request no services will be held. Arrangements by Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.

Ken Lewis

August 8, 1942 - March 13, 2024