Kenneth Hugh Hulen

Kenneth “Ken” Hugh Hulen passed away on August 31, 2017. He was born in Phoenix Arizona on April 3 1941, the third of five sons born to Thomas William Hulen, a produce peddler and Ann (Hughes) Hulen, a waitress. Early on Ken was given the task of repairing the broken slats in the produce crates, foreshadowing a career in residential remodeling. When Ken was a boy, the family lived in Phoenix, Prescott and Clarkdale AZ, Farmington NM and Scappoose OR before returning to Phoenix in 1951. He achieved the rank of Life as a member of the Boy Scouts of America. He attended Phoenix Union High School where he played varsity football and was the 1959 undefeated state wrestling champion (145 pounds). He joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve on his 17th birthday, and was a member of the 9th Engineer Battalion. A stint as a long-haul trucker gave him a love of travel and exploration that lasted all his life. His vision for residential design and his appreciation for repurposing existing materials led to a successful career as a residential remodeler. He loved traveling with his cherished wife, Susie, to places as distant as Egypt, England, France, Mexico and Canada. In their 34 years together, he and Susie took road trips at every opportunity, visiting multiple National Parks and all of the Spanish missions in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California and northern Mexico. His Golden Age Passport to the National Parks is well-worn. He and Susie and their dear friend Jim Quick explored much of his beloved Arizona. His favorite place, however, was being at home for dinner and a board game, hanging out on the back patio or sitting around the fire pit with friends and family. Even better if a burger and a Diamondbacks game were included. Ken was deeply loved by his wife, daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Katara Toney and grandson Rafael Fernandez. He is survived by his wife Susie Hulen, daughters Christina Mason (Joe), Victoria Rivera (Phil), grandchildren Robert Hulen (Karen), Arthur Mason (Cassie), Adam Mason, Chastina Smith (Justin), Taylor Berg (Alex), Brandon Rivera (Hannah), Payton Rivera, Emmalee Rivera, Brooklynne Rivera, Ethan Rivera, and great grandchildren Leslie Hulen, Lindsey Hulen, Anthony Hulen, Tera Hulen, Brody Juisto, Aurora Mason, Sophia Berg, Victoria Grace Berg, Griffin Berg, Peter Rivera, Norah Rivera and former wife Tammy Broadhead.

A Graveside Service will be held at Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery at 719 N. 27th Avenue, Phoenix, on Saturday October 14 at 10 am, followed by lunch and laughter celebrating Ken’s life.