Ken was born September 8, 1952 in Albuquerque, NM to TN and Montie York. Ken graduated from Ontario High School in Ontario, California in 1970, and later attended Western Kentucky University and received a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations.
Ken served his country for 20 years in the Air Force and Army, both as enlisted and as an officer. After leaving the military in 1992, Ken served the defense community in the private sector in multiple roles and most recently retired as a Federal employee working as a technical writer.
Ken’s friends often referred to him as the ‘Dos Equis Guy’ as his career was never limited to his 9 to 5 professional roles. He has done everything from being a Congressional Reporter, to an ice cream truck driver, to an actor on HBO's 'The Wire,' to the unofficial travel correspondent for Cigar Magazine. He got such a kick out of his ability to get free vacations by writing about his love of cigars and exotic locations. He also has a bug named for him, the Isoneuromyia yorki Evenhuis, a Vietnamese predatory fungus gnat, named by a high school friend turned entomologist.
Ken’s greatest accomplishment was his love and commitment to his wife and family; he raised four kids, forged unbreakable bonds with his son-in-law and three daughters-in-law and doted on his grandkids. He was a great man, husband and father. His charisma and charm touched all who knew him and he will be so greatly missed.
His ability to tell a great story, dream the biggest dreams, and connect deeply have shaped many and leave behind a vibrant legacy. He set a great example of living a life full of character, was never afraid to right a wrong and lived a life that put his values first and the easy road second.
Ken retired in October 2021 and had such fun plans to work on his next novel, travel the globe with his loving wife, Susan, and finish the remodel of his dream retirement home on the coast of Maine. His family was not ready for this fantastic dreamer’s dreams to have been cut short, and find solace in each other and knowing he enjoyed life to the fullest.
Ken is survived by his wife of 47 years, Susan Carol York, whom he married July 6, 1974, as well as his four children: William (Jamie), Kathleen (Jason), Jacob (Gabrielle) and Jared (Teri); and ten grandchildren: Alexis, Tristan, Kiera, Lachlan, William, Olive, Victoria, Declan, Molly and Jameson. He is also survived by his sisters, Marjorie McCarthy (Robert) of VA and Kay Root of NV, and brother Gary York of NV. He was preceded in death by his brother Randy York, and his sisters-in-law Carol York and Liz-Ann York.
Family and friends may pay their respects at Ken’s graveside service on Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at the National Memorial Park at 7482 Lee Hwy, Falls Church, VA 22042 at 2pm.
The family requests any memorials in Ken's memory be made to the Fisher House Foundation at 12300 Twinbrook Pkwy, Suite 410, Rockville, MD 20852 or fisherhouse.org. Through his service, Ken gave much for his country and would love for part of his legacy to be to give back to others who have boldly served.
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