Kenneth Gerald Vogel

After a wonderful long life, Ken Vogel passed away on January 3, 2026 at the age of 92. We lost a gifted storyteller, talented woodcarver, positive-minded, loving father and grandfather who modeled what it was to be a devoted husband, work hard and live life to the fullest.

Kenneth Gerald Vogel was born on April 26, 1933 in Los Angeles, California to loving parents (Gerald and Ruth) during the Great Depression. He grew up the only son with three sisters Joanne, Carol and Gail, who he adored. He was privileged to march in the Rose Parade playing the trombone with the Fremont High School band. He met Evelyn Frank at the LA German Club as a teenager and fell in love. When the Korean War began, he joined the Navy and moved to San Diego with his new bride.

After the War, he was employed by the Gas Company for over 30 years moving from serviceman to salesman. After the birth of his three sons, the family moved to Porterville, California where they developed lifelong friends and a love for the Sierras. Advancing his career and his love of people and storytelling lead him to Toastmasters, where he served as President and became an even better storyteller.

After he retired and moved to Twain Harte, California he combined his lifelong love of trains and history with his toastmaster skills as a docent at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park giving roundhouse tours and working to get Engine #3 back on track. He also joined a wood carving club honing his skill and carving numerous unique detailed works of art. He lived the last 18 years of his life at his beautiful hilltop cabin in Mariposa, California often hosting family, and taking road trips with his boys. He especially loved his trip to the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway and the Virginia Truckee Railroad in Virginia City with the entire family.

His most treasured times were getaways with Evelyn, summer camping and boating trips at Lake Tahoe with his boys, family reunions and later annual camping trips with his grandchildren. He enjoyed the History Channel, steam engines, old western ghost towns, Louis L’Amour westerns, Ronald Reagan, BBQ ribs, playing 21 at casinos, and more recently listening to country music.

Ken is preceded in death by the love of his life, Evelyn Jean Vogel, his parents, and sisters Joanne Scheerer and Carol Blodgett. He is survived by his three sons, Jeffrey Vogel (Pam), Keith Vogel (Nancy) and Eric Vogel (Kelley), eight grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, sister Gail McQuade and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Woods Pavilion in Tehachapi, California followed by a reception for his family and friends. In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Ken’s honor.