On this day one year ago, we celebrated your life among friends and family at Arlinton National Cemetery. 

I will always be grateful for that day and all the wonderful memories you made possible.

With eternal love, your sister...
Patricia 

*Ken A. Collette - Proud Space Command Chief*
For the ones who would like to see Ken' Full Military Honor at Arlington, you may view all the photos at MATTOX Photography's website (on behalf of Patricia Collette).
Please click on the link below
www.mattoxphotographyanc.com/viewyourphotos
Then enter the Password:
COLLETTE

Dearest Ken, Here we are over 2 years since you've been gone. You are now resting at Arlington National Cemetery where you were recognized with full Honor. It still feels surreal to live without you at my side to face all the beauty, experiences, and hardships of life.  Your presence will always remain with me.  Nonetheless, life has definitely lost its sparkle, but the universe has gained a star... 
Love you Always, Nathalie.

Dearest Ken, it was a year ago yesterday that you sadly passed away… 😓 Your absence is more profound now than ever… You will never be forgotten and will remain in my heart and soul forever…. 😓😇🙏🏼💔 
You’re memorial is still pending while waiting for Arlington National Cemetary to give me a date for your full Military Honor funeral as you so rightly deserve 💖 Once the date is set, I’ll inform everyone  through this site and Facebook… 
Sending hugs & kisses to all who were lucky enough to have met & known this GREAT Gentleman 💖💖💖💖💔

It was only just over 2 years ago that I connected with my 1st cousin Ken after our parents were separated long ago.

Although I never had the pleasure of meeting Ken in person, we spent hours on conversations by phone.

I feel grateful having the opportunity to getting to know Ken from the limited time we had to talk and sharing stories of our families.

From the first time we spoke, I knew Ken to be a friendly, engaging person of great character.  Although I didn't have a chance to know more of him, he is sadly missed.

God Bless,
Gary Noto
Denver, Colorado

After many years, and battling health issues myself, I wanted to see if I could look up some of my old USAF friends.  I last saw Ken in 1985 in Denver while I was TDY to Table Mountain Observatory.  We went through Tech Schools in Illinois in the 70's and had some good times and I walked around some golf courses with him.  I couldn't hold a candle to him, so I can't even say that I played a round with him.  I am sorry I missed seeing or talking to you before the Good Lord took you home.  I will get to see you again I'm sure.  I don't think that I ever got to meet Nathalie, but I am sure she is a special woman as she choose you to be with.  It is a lose to us all that you are no longer here with us on this world.

Ken was a great man!  I will miss him very much!  Rest In Peace, my friend.

I had the pleasure of meeting Ken in 1995.  We were in the military and stationed at the same squadron.  We spent quite a bit of time together.  We talked and we played a lot of golf (we won the base championship as a foursome). Most  importantly to me, Ken was a great mentor.  He was a true gentleman and will be missed by all those who had the privilege of knowing him.  

I’m writing today after learning about the passing of my VA co-worker and friend, Ken Collette. I knew immediately that it was my lucky day the first time I called Ken.  Ken was tireless and patient helping me to learn my job at the VA Bay Pines. Even though Ken was always very busy with his own work at the VA West Palm Beach, he had a way of making you feel like your call was the most important one that he had that day. He was gracious in sharing tips, new ideas and he could teach you amazingly complex formulas and macros in Excel. He had a special gift of creativity and Ken could come up with many more than one great solution to any problem. He always had a funny story to share about his many life experiences. Ken will be missed, but his positive spirit and sincere smile will be forever with those of us who had the honor to know him. Until we meet again, Ken, farewell and thank you for your friendship. May your lifetime of happy memories bring comfort to your wife, Nathalie, and to your family.  Gratefully, Ruth Hartman, Seminole, Florida

I was so sad to hear the loss of Ken.  I worked with him at the VA.  He truly was one of the nicest human beings I've ever had the pleasure of knowing.  He always had a big smile on his face and a positive attitude.  I always knew that if you needed someone to lift your spirits, Ken was the guy to talk to.  Sharing military stories was always a fun thing to chat about as well.  Rest in peace my friend.

The Buckley AFB military Retiree Activities Office (RAO) would like to offer our sincere condolences and our gratitude for CMSgt Collette's 29 years of distinguished service to our country in the Air Force.  While I realize you are in FL, if you would like help with any matters related to casualty assistance, Defense Finance & Accounting Service, Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), Veterans Affairs (VA), etc. you can contact our office on Buckley AFB in Denver, CO at 720-847-6693.  The RAO is staffed by volunteers, all military retirees themselves, and our sole purpose is to provide assistance to any military retirees and surviving spouses/family members with anything related to their military service and/or benefits, in particular during difficult times such as this.  We are deeply sorry for your loss.

Steve Young
Lt Col, USAF, Ret
Director, Buckley AFB RAO


Ken,

Ken was my favorite cousin, we were the same age and grew up today in Kirk, Colorado. Went through kindergarten to graduating high school together. always enjoyed seeing him whenever he came back to Colorado, and saw him a few times when I was in Florida.
Ken lived a amazing life, traveling all over the work and has done so many things. he was a great person, always had a smile on his faces and positive attitude. He lived more in the time God gave him than most people would live in several lifetimes. Ken I will miss you very much, pray that God will comfort Natalie, and Ken's parents ( My aunt and uncle) during this time.

Kurt Kechter

Dear Ken,
I'm sharing this today because everyone deserves to know how great of a man you were. My heart is broken that you left us after your terrible battle against many health complications, including cancer. It's crazy how much we take time for granted, because I was convinced you had many more years ahead of you, and now I wish I could go back in time so I could see you again once more. When I think about you, I remember the man who, when I was young, saw that I was bored and took a napkin and a pen at the restaurant to teach me some awesome tic-tac-toe tricks (that I still use to this day by the way). I think about the man who patiently listened to me trying to teach him French, since I truly wanted to communicate with him. I remember the man who desperately tried to teach me golf one day, but quickly realized that I wasn't made for the sport. Yeah, I never got good at it, like at all, but you persisted anyway and we ended up goofing around. But I also think of Ken, setting up his photo studio so that he could share his passion for photography with me. You were a warrior, and you loved life more than anyone else. I hope that you are at peace, wherever you are in this universe, you deserve your place among the brightest stars.

Farewell Ken (Chief Collette),

One of the Original "309" Space Systems Maintainers at McClellan AFB, arriving as the youngest and returning years later as the Boss. A true professional and a fine man. I was honored to work for and with him for several years. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to dine with Ken in 2018 when he was visiting C. Springs. A good memory. Chief, you will be missed. My condolences to Nathalie and the Family.

I met and knew Ken about 6 years ago through the golf league at PGA National. Ken was a very fine golfer, but an even finer gentleman. He carried himself in a way that showed his quality, and he was universally liked and respected by all the guys. Ken always wore a smile and had a light hearted, upbeat joke to keep things fun.     I admired how he spoke so fondly of his wife Nathalie, and was so careful to pronounce her name so exactingly! Although our association was only through golf, text messages, and phone calls, I counted Ken as a friend. While I am glad he will not suffer any longer, we all lost a very good man and I will surely miss him.  

I had the honor of serving with Ken in Germany. He was a great role model to a young  enlisted man,  and always had a positive attitude and a friendly smile. My condolences to his lovely wife and family. I know he will be missed by all who served with him at Kapaun Air Station.  

Thanks for everything Ken.  You were such a good friend to me during the time I knew you at McClellan AFB.  While serving with you was an honor, I think there was so much more to you.  The things I will remember most are the ski trips, movie nights, and losing to you at racquetball during lunch.  We shared a lot of laughs together and I will always remember the good times Donna and I shared with you and Natalie with a smile.  

Farewell Chief,

One of the finest among the 309 Space Maintainers and a trusted Mentor and Boss; his guidance stayed with me and many others thorough our careers and after.  

Sincere condolences to Natalie and his family.

I will always remember you Chief.  You were an inspiration to me, a friend, and someone I always hoped to become.  You will be missed.  Always the Space Professional, and the original 309.  This world is a lesser place without you.  Our shop motto, "Never Fear", you always instilled that in us, and were our leader.  Rest, and I hope every golf shot in Heaven is a hole in one, because you deserve that.  Thank you, and I hope to see you again.

Ken, 

I want to thank you for everything that you are, for your kindness, your sense of humor, for your patience and your love. 

I had the chance to build an awesome relationship with you and, for that, I am very grateful.

I will always remember the look on your face when I did “the split” in the middle of the dancefloor in a club in west palm or the many evenings we spent watching “the bachelor”. I have countless memories of times we spent together, of laughs we shared, of meaningful (or not) conversations we had...

I don’t think you realize how much of an inspiration you are to me and how much I look up to you. 

You are part of who I am today and I will keep you with me everywhere I go. 

With all my love... 

Zoé


Hello Ken,

Ken est mon ami, et de ma famille. Je le conserve dans mon cœur. 
Cela a toujours été un plaisir de te retrouver. Ensemble, nous avons voyagé, découvert, philosophé et apprécié de beaux moments de vie.  Avec ta sagesse, ton plaisir d’apprendre et de partager, tu m’as souvent aidé à trouver d’autres chemins. 
Mon anglais étant toujours aussi lacunaire, j’ai décidé de te garder, bien au chaud, afin de continuer avec toi l’apprentissage de la langue de Shakespeare. 
De là ou tu es, tu peux ressentir le profond respect et l’amour que je te porte.
Oops, excuse me, I have some milk on the stove ... see you later bro.

Patrice


Partir pour le dernier voyage à cet âge, c'est très difficile à accepter. Certainement trop jeune, mais nous n'avons aucun pouvoir sur cette décision.  Ken,  nous t'avons connu comme une personne très douée, sympathique avec qui il était toujours agréable d'échanger et de prendre de précieux conseils pour s'améliorer au golf.  Tu vas nous manquer beaucoup lors de nos prochains séjours en Floride.
À toi Nathalie, femme toujours forte dans l'adversité,  nous te souhaitons le courage nécessaire pour vivre cette dure épreuve.
Nos pensées t'accompagnent chère Nathalie.                                                                    Salut Ken et repose en paix.

Hélène   et  Normand

Nathalie, my heart is with you. I'm sure you have lot of good memories with Ken, that's what you have to remember......
Keep strong , God will give you strength , he knows what he is doing. 
Just take one day at time.
Love, Terri.

Ce cher Ken,
Ce que je retiens de toi c'est ton sourire, ta douceur et surtout l'amour que tu portais à ma grande amie Nathalie.  Chaque fois que j'ai eu l'opportunité de te voir.  tu étais accueillant et attentionné.   Je me rappellerai toujours ce Noël à Hawaii, jeunes mariés que vous étiez.  Merci encore pour ton hospitalité.   Je me souviens aussi que tu es le seul à n'avoir jamais ri de mon accent et à me comprendre si parfaitement... jusqu'à ce que je réalise que tu me comprenais si bien car j'ai le même accent que ta douce moitié.   Je te remercie d'avoir rendu mon amie si heureuse toutes ces années.  Ton absence est déjà difficile mais je sais que tu continueras à veiller sur elle.  Repose en paix mon ami.  


Trop peu, trop tard.

J’ai rencontré Ken lors de la réception de mariage au Québec alors qu’il tentait à genoux de retirer la jarretière de mon amie d’enfance Nathalie. J’étais loin de me douter que cet homme demeurerait dans nos vies assez longtemps pour nous marquer tous, à sa façon, que ce soit de près ou de loin. Ce fut toujours un plaisir de le revoir et, malgré mon anglais hésitant, de l’écouter me décrire les propriétés d’une balle de golf. Dans mes projets futurs, je me promettais bien d’aller les visiter plus souvent, afin d’apprendre à mieux le connaitre et de pouvoir partager les bons et les moins bons moments de la vie…

Trop peu, trop tard

J’offre mes sympathies les plus sincères à ma deuxième famille ainsi qu’à la famille Collette.

Pierre et Johanne


Too little, too late.

I met Ken at the wedding reception in Quebec as he kneeled trying to remove my childhood friend Nathalie's garter. I had no idea that this man would remain in our lives long enough to mark all of us in his own way. It was always a pleasure to see him again and, despite my hesitant English, to listen to him describing the properties of a golf ball. In my future projects, I promised myself that I would visit them more often, in order to get to know him better and to be able to share the good and the not so good moments of life ...

Too little, too late.

I offer my most sincere sympathies to my second family and to the Collette family as well.


Pierre and Johanne


We are so sad to lose the delightful human named Ken Collette!!  

That guy... caring, wise (super smarty-pants, actually), kind, sweet, thoughtful, always optimistic, fun (funny!), easy to laugh and joke with and also have meaningful conversation, playful, friendly, great golf coach, reliable... a solid, good man.  Ken was a beautiful dude, and I will miss him.

Our deepest condolences to you, Nathalie, and to all of Ken's family.

with love and a hug,
Gretchen and Tony

I only knew Ken for a short time while working at the WPB VA. We connected immediately as we teased each other about what service (Army or Air Force ) was the best. Ken was a professional who cared for his fellow veterans as much as he did for his co workers. Ken impressed me as humble man and gracious partner. Ken was a patient and persistent trainer as he possessed the magic touch when conveying information and knowledge to those he trained and coached. Ken was my friend, brother in arms who loved his fellow man specially his family. Our prayers are with the Collette family. It was an honor knowing Command Chief Master Sergeant Kenneth A. Collette, USAF ret. RIP brother.

I was so sad to hear about Ken's passing - he battled mightily and may he now rest in peace.   My deepest condolences to Nathalie and all of his family in your loss of a wonderful man who always had a smile on his face .  My first memory of Ken as my neighbor was his sharing of his observation of a Bald Eagle right here in the neighborhood.   This was many years ago - I had not observed a Bald Eagle here, and yet,   just this past weekend,  I saw the most beautiful Bald Eagle flying high in the sky above the community - surely this was Ken keeping his eyes on all of us and flying free.   

My friend for a long time. great golfer fun to be with. Had good times here watching games and hanging out in the pool before dinner. Will miss you Ken. Well at least we have your beautiful sweet wife as our long time friend.

Dès la toute première rencontre en 1986 ou 87, j’ai adoré cet homme qui avait un fin sens de l’humour, une vivacité d’esprit qui rassemblait la curiosité, la gentillesse, et le tout agencé avec l’intelligence du renard.  Chaque rencontre avec lui, sur les 35 dernières années, ont été un plaisir pur, des rires fous, spontané tout comme de jeune enfant!  J’arrive à peine à réaliser qu’il n’est déjà plus là, à réaliser que notre dernière rencontre était LA dernière rencontre, sans avoir pu lui dire que je l’aimais comme humain.  La vie est courte, et c’est dans ces moments que nous réalisons à quel point nous sommes éphémères, qu’un simple battement d’aile, et ‘vlan’, la vie est terminée.  Une belle âme s’est éteinte le 14 décembre, libérée de ses maux.  Il était mon beau-frère, mais également un ami de toujours.  Je garde de toi de nombreux souvenirs durant ces nombreuses années, et je suis certain que s’il y a un au-delà, ta place est dans le haut des marches du paradis.  Vas en paix mon ami!

My dear brother Ken,
You will forever live on in the lives of all the people who knew you.  
 I am grateful you were my brother.  
Love always,  Patricia



AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Kenneth A Collette

28 avril 1955 – 14 décembre 2020

Aycock-Riverside Funeral and Cremation Center

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