Kenneth Lee Maine

Kenneth Lee Maine, 61, passed away March 9, 2010 in Mesa, Arizona. Born in Waterloo, Iowa, he served proudly in the United States Marine Corps and completed 2 tours in Vietnam. Ken had a strong work ethic becoming a sucessful copier salesman and manager in the Colorado Mountains while raising his children. He had a love for his family, history, and travel through his life. Ken is survived by his son Willie Maine of Silver Plume, Colorado and his daughter Jessica Jensen of Las Vegas, Nevada. He also leaves behind a brother Charles Maine and sister Beverly Briggs, both of Iowa. Ken touched everyone he met and lived life to the fullest. He will be missed by all.

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A celebration of his life was held on Friday, March 12, 2010 at Mariposa Gardens Cemetery Chapel, 6747 East Broadway Road, in Mesa, Arizona.

An additional celebration for friends and family to gather and honor Ken's life was held August 15, 2010 on Georgetown Loop Railroad in Silver Plume, Colorado.

Click on the link below "Read complete obituary" to continue reading some of the eulogies, memories, and Ken's poems shared during the service held in Arizona and/or the train ride in Colorado.

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Eulogy given at Ken Maine's Memorial Service on 03/12/2010

(Delivered by his Daughter, Jessica Jensen):

Losing my father is the most difficult thing I've ever had to go through. Words can not express what I've felt these last weeks and days though we have been comforted by phone calls, emails, letters, and cards from so many of you, knowing he made an impact and was loved by all.

There is so much to say about my dad, especially since I was always "Daddy's Little Girl!" When I was young and we went dancing in Colorado, I used to stand on his feet and hold on tight for a great ride…as I got older I stood in the background but he kept dancing and enjoying every minute! Every morning when it was time for dad to head out to work and for us to get up for school, he would stand in the house about half way between my room and my brother, Willie's and shout loudly "Rise and Shine" as if we were his little soldiers…even though I usually just groaned and hardly moved to begin getting up, I will never forget this.

Dad loved learning history and traveling everywhere he could to see the places he had read about. We camped all over the US and Canada growing up as he shared his love of travel with the family. Every time we got to a campground, he set up then walked around and talked to everyone there introducing himself and telling his stories. By the time I was 13 we had visited all 48 continental states as a family. Today, these trips bring me back amazing treasured memories. The only state in the country Dad never got to visit was Alaska and a few days ago when he passed away, I am sure that was the first trip he took!

As all of you know, my dad liked to tell stories…I want to share my favorites with you about how my dad became a Marine and about his impact in Vietnam:

My dad didn't plan to become a Marine. Upon finishing high school in Des Moines, he went to a local recruiting office to enlist in the Air Force. He walked out of the Air Force office with the paperwork he was given and was planning to head home…as he walked past the Marine recruiter standing at the door to their recruiting office he was stopped. The Marine recruiter said, "What 'cha got there boy?" To this my dad replied he was going to join the Air Force and the Marine asked him to step into his office. As my dad sat down in the Marine's office, the recruiter put his feet up, crossed them on the desk staring at my dad through the tips of his shoes. My dad, always ready to weigh and consider all options in life, asked what the Marine's could offer him. The recruiter replied if he joined the Marines, he would get "a pack, a rifle, and a one way ticket to Vietnam…if he was a man he would come back alive..." Upon hearing this message/offer, my dad proudly became a Marine right there and never looked back.

After boot camp in San Diego, my dad spent 2 tours in Vietnam. While there he helped construct a Buddhist temple, taught himself Vietnamese, taught English to children in a local high school, and also helped to run an orphanage. As he did with everything in life, he tried his best to get the most out of every experience, including while he was serving his country in Vietnam. While helping at the orphanage, dad became close to many of the children and never forgot them. He told us many stories of them, mostly a young girl named HUM whom he was in the process of adopting to take home to the states and raise as his daughter. Before he could do so, the enemy found out and killed her along with the other orphans. He always carried her memory close to his heart and I am sure they are now reunited.

Dad's paychecks there were not very large. However, whenever he got them, he used most of the money to buy jelly beans for the orphans he grew to love. The children would line up and he would give them each a jelly bean. Some of them would eat it right away, others would save it until they knew they may get another treat, and some children would give their jelly bean away to their siblings or friends. As we grew up, my dad always had a jar filled with jelly beans on his desk at work to remind him of the children he loved in Vietnam. Over the years, jelly beans became his favorite candy. At the end of the service, please take one to eat in his memory.

Dad was always up for a challenge…if someone told him something couldn't be done, it made him fight harder to prove them wrong. There was never a time I couldn't talk to him that he wouldn't offer advice, weather I asked for it or not. Dad always had a solution to every problem and kept things in his life simple.

He didn't ask others for help most times but would be the first to volunteer to help a friend, neighbor, family member, or even complete strangers he had just met if needed. However, he never wanted to be acknowledged for doing these things. When he helped someone, he simply helped and felt as he had done right, based on the values he learned growing up in Iowa and training as a Marine.

My dad loved the Colorado mountains and dreamed to raise his family there, something he was able to do as a very successful "Mountain Man" Copier Salesman. My father was very hard working and determined to succeed at everything he did. The plaque sitting on his desk at work read 'GOALS ARE DREAMS WITH DEADLINES' and to me this was the mission statement of Dad's life. I will forever cherish this message and continue to live my life honoring him and all he taught me. If you have a dream, get out there & start planning it as he would have.

I've always known my dad was proud of both Willie and I but will always remember just a week ago the last time he told us with a prideful look in his eye how proud he was of the adults he have become and the lessons we have learned from him.

He showed strength until the end and was a tough Marine, never giving up on anything. I promise all of you I will continue my father's legacy and lead every day keeping in mind everything he taught me and lessons he shared with me the past 30 years. Please remember everything my dad taught each of you as we all find comfort that he is now looking down proud of everyone he touched over the years.

My dad had a wonderful gift to write poetry and did so much of his life, starting when he was in grade school. In preparation for each milestone in my life, he always sat down at the kitchen table, pen in hand, and created something special to share his feelings with his little girl. The last poem he wrote for me and read was on my wedding day after proudly walking me down the aisle. In closing, I would like to share with all of you a poem he wrote me when I was growing up which reminds me how much he loved being my father. I love you Dad!

TO LOVE A CHILD

By Ken Maine

Written for Jessica (Maine) Jensen

To love a child as I love you is such a wonderful thing;

I can't explain in just mere words the special joy it brings.

I watch you grow, each day it seems, with pride that has no end;

To try to be all things for you, a father and a friend.

We have our time, to laugh and cry, the good as well as bad;

But through it all we share our love, a wonderful child and Dad.

So as your life continues on, move forward without fear;

Because you know that I'll be there, your Dad is always near!

Eulogy given at Ken Maine's memorial service on 03/12/2010

(Delivered by his Niece, Deanna Davey):

My name is Deanna…for those of you who don't know me; I am Chuck and Pety's daughter. Chuck is Kenny's younger brother. 35 years ago when Mom and Dad married, Mom came with 4 kids. Not one time did the Maine Family treat us as step family…we were accepted as family from the beginning. As most of you know, Mom and Dad can't be here today because of their health. Please know they are here with us in heart and love that they have for Uncle Kenny. Also we have another brother Cory who is having a hard time dealing with Uncle Kenny's death. He spoke to him in the beginning and Uncle Kenny told him not to worry because he had a plan laid out and would see him soon but time ran out and God needed Kenny.

I spoke to Uncle Kenny Saturday before he died. I explained that it will be hard to leave his loved ones behind and life here on Earth, but that he was just borrowing a shell God gave him and that there is a higher power, where he would find love, peace, and serenity and that hopefully Grandma and Grandpa would be waiting for him. I told him how much I love him and how much Dad loved him. He put his head close to my shoulder and said, "I love you too."

I want to share a story that Uncle Kenny told me often. During Vietnam, he joined the Marines and went off to war. Then Chuck got drafted and went to Alaska because Kenny was already at War. When it was Chuck's time to go to War, Kenny re-enlisted so Chuck wouldn't have to go and see the horror he saw and lived. I knew then how much he loved his little brother. I know Chuck and Kenny had different lifestyles and different views but the love was there and always will be. If Chuck could be here today he would thank you all for being here to honor his brother and would have told you how much he loved Kenny.

To Uncle Kenny - Rest in Peace and know you'll always be remembered and loved - until we meet again.

Eulogy given at Ken Maine’s memorial service on 03/12/2010

(Delivered by his Girlfriend, Judy Kling):

I first met Ken on a Saturday in March of 2009, at Pet smart. He was helping a dog rescue group adopt dogs this day. He came over to me and started talking about the dogs and asked if I was interested in adopting a dog. I said, “No, I have two dogs.” As I left the store, he was waiting for me outside. He told me he was attracted to me and wanted to know more about me. We exchanged phone numbers and made a date for Tuesday night to go dancing. After that first date, we were together constantly.

We had so many things in common. We both were good at tennis, and we both loved to dance. As many of you know, Ken was a great dancer. Every chance we got, we were on the motorcycle going somewhere. The highlight of our year together was a nine day trip in June through beautiful Colorado. I told Ken after the trip, Colorado was certainly God’s country.

On 9/11 of 2009, Ken was diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer. He took the news life a real Marine. I felt like the clock had stopped that day. After 27 radiation treatments and being very sick after each treatment, he was told the cancer had spread and was terminal. Again, he took the news like a real Marine. I was with Ken when he passed away at my home on Tuesday. We met in March and he died in March. It is said that St. Peter waits at the gate of Heaven for all soldiers and says to them, “Be at peace for you have already been to hell.”

Ken was a very intelligent man. Over the years, he wrote several poems. I have picked out two to read (below). These cards were hand made from two children in our neighborhood, eight years old. They wrote the cards themselves with no help and left them on my door when Ken passed away.

God Bless Ken, God Bless Our Troops, and God Bless The United States!

AND THEN CAME NAM

By Ken Maine

One day came Nam into my life; I didn’t know it then;

But everything would change that day for a young Marine named Ken.

We came to fight for freedom, to slay the evil Cong;

Brave men so full of high ideas, we fought to right the wrong.

The world as I had known it no longer did exist,

Survival was the only thing in the ghostly nighttime mist.

I’m proud that I was there back then, yet sad it had to be;

It haunts me yet, and always will,

The Nam, that world, and me!

GLAD TO BE ME

By Ken Maine

Self worth, esteem, whatever it’s called, comes up from deep inside;

It only shows to others when you pull it out with pride.

You can’t let others take and take, ‘till there’s nothing left to give;

Stand up and tell them “Go to Hell, I’ve got my life to live!”

Go through each day with head held high, don’t let depression win;

Think things that make your life feel good, not thoughts of “Might Have Been.”

We all make choices; we live with them, that’s the human way to be;

So make the ones that make you say, “I’m so glad to be me!”

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Additional Poems written By Ken read on the train ride in Colorado by Jessica:

TO DAD

Written By Ken Maine (for his father Marlyn Maine when he passed away)

Revised By Jessica (Maine) Jensen

Because you lived, and gave me life, I just want you to know;

How very much I love you, Dad, You know I miss you so.

You cared for me, and watched me grow, You never did complain;

Now I’m an adult on my own, I’ll try to do the same.

Through all the years, you’ve always been, The one to whom I’ve turned;

Whenever life would get me down, From you I’ve always learned.

So now you’re gone, but life goes on, I cry with bitter tears;

For all the times we’ll never have, In up and coming years.

You are the best, and always were, At all the things you’ve done;

I love you, Dad, and miss you much, Will remember you always, and then some!

A FATHER’S REMEMBERANCE

By Ken Maine, Written for Jessica (Maine) Jensen

I was there when you were born, to hold you in my arms,

So proud to have a little girl with so much grace and charm.

As years went by, I watched you grow, from tot to toddler too.

My chest swelled out with fatherly pride, as I shared my love with you.

Then school years came, I watched you leave and go to another world,

Where you took charge at every turn, with the wings of a bird unfurled.

Through all the years, you made me glad that you belonged to me;

My little girl I always knew the success that you would be.

Then off to France, around the globe, you went and left behind

A father who missed you very much as the world you went to find.

I went to visit you over there, Oh! What a time we had;

Enjoying a life we two could share, a Daughter and her Dad.

As twists and turns of life take you to wherever you may roam;

You’ll always be my little girl...In my heart will be your home.