Kenneth Perry Birdwell

Kenneth Perry Birdwell was born January 8, 1927 at home on Tidewater 30 (in the oil fields), Coalinga, CA. After graduation from Coalinga High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Army’s Navy at the end of World War II where he was stationed off shore at Korea. He ended his military career as a Staff Sergeant, Command of LCM (Landing Craft Mechanized).

Kenneth then attended University of California at Davis and graduated with honors: Phi Beta, Alpha Zeta and Magna Cum Laude. It was at Davis where he met his wife, Virginia.

Ken had a long career beginning with working for L.D. Folsom at the rock plant north of Coalinga. Rock from this plant, which evolved into Granite Construction Company, contributed to building the Lemoore Naval Base, Interstate Highway 5, the canals and Harris Feeding Company. Ken was Superintendent of the Granite Construction Company rock plant in Coalinga when he retired to work his cattle ranch.

Ken was in partnership with his father, Perry W. Birdwell, on a cattle ranch in Los Gatos Canyon. There he and his wife Virginia raised four children. Ken engineered a remarkable water system for his ranch utilizing holding tanks and gravity fed troughs to provide water for livestock and wildlife. Ken took pleasure in hunting on his ranch with his many good friends.

Kenneth Perry Birdwell was preceded in death by his eldest son, Alan Kenneth Birdwell.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Virginia Doolittle Birdwell, daughters, Nancy Jeanette Birdwell and Linda Birdwell Anderson and her husband Dennis Anderson, a son, Perry Fredrick Birdwell and his wife Kelly Birdwell, along with six grandchildren: Jennifer Browder, Samuel Johnson, Wade Anderson, Jessica Valazquez, Kerri Birdwell and MaKenna Birdwell. He also has seven great-grandchildren.

The Birdwell family wants to thank the kind and attentive staff at Ralph Neate Extended Care Center and also their friends and coworkers for their support.

Family and Friends are invited to view Ken’s legacy at www.palmmemorial.com and send condolences to the family.

A Graveside Service will be held on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Pleasant Valley Cemetery (Coalinga-Huron Cemetery); 40054 Calaveras Avenue, Coalinga, CA 93210 (559) 935-1250.

Services are under the direction of Palm Memorial Coalinga Chapel.

PALM MEMORIAL COALINGA CHAPEL

486 N. 5th Street

Coalinga, CA 93210

559-935-338

www.palmmemorial.com