Kenneth Rolf Irwin

Ken was born in Yakima on May 15th, 1935 to Rolf & Mary Irwin. He graduated from Yakima Senior High in 1954 and then went on to attend the University of Washington. He was drafted into the Army in 1956 and served in Korea until 1958, when he was honorably discharged.

In 1959 he met Sharon Gunvaldson, and the two were married on December 12th. They had two children, Chris and Pepper.

In 1972 he and Sharon opened a small business, The House of Carpet, from their home on Bitterroot Way, which was eventually moved to a large fruit warehouse. Their tongue-in-cheek billboard advertisement of “FRESH CARPET” was well known to travelers along the Naches Highway. After a subsequent move to Front Street, the business thrived until Ken’s retirement in 2012.

As an avid bird hunter, Ken spent many weekends at his home away from home, the Duck Club in the Lower Valley, his beloved dogs at his side. Ken also loved golf, even though golf didn’t seem to love him back. A round with the “Barefoot Wonder”, as he was affectionately known, often involved colorful language, a half-dozen mulligans, and several clubs wrapped around or hanging from a tree.

Ken is preceded in death by his parents, Rolf and Mary Irwin. He is survived by his wife Sharon, his son Chris, his daughter Pepper, his brother Dave and wife Meg, his brother Jere and wife Glody, and his grandsons Chase and Parker. Ken was earnestly loved and will be greatly missed.

His family would like to thank the doctors and nurses of Virginia Mason Hospital and Keith & Keith Funeral Home in Yakima.

A celebration of Ken’s life will be held at a later date.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.keithandkeith.com.