Kenneth Eugene Farris

Born in Colorado to Viven and Jean, Ken grew up alongside his brother sharing a childhood filled with curiosity, hard work and brotherly mischief.

In high school, he met the love of his life and forever sweetheart, Kathryn Perry. Together, they built a life rooted in devotion and raised two daughters, Jess and Kary. Ken was the kind of dad who could fix anything and looped them into every project. Raising girls brought out a soft, sweet side of him, and he took great pride in being their rock and protector. He worked hard to teach them to be strong, resilient and that they can do anything for themselves.

His greatest joy came as the family continued to grow to include his grandchildren, Amber, Forrest, and Kira, and eventually, his great-granddaughter, Freyja. Ken adored kids, and his eyes always lit up when they were around. Whether it was his own children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or neighborhood kids, Ken made time for them all. They built go-karts from scratch in the garage and he cheered them on from the sidelines of life. Ken made sure their childhoods were filled with fun, adventure, and the kind of memories that last forever.

Throughout his life, Ken wore many hats. He was a skilled welder and fabricator, volunteer fireman, medical technician and construction worker. His entrepreneurial spirit shined brightest when he built a successful drive shaft business from the ground up. Whatever the job, Ken approached it with pride, craftsmanship and a generous willingness to teach others. His garage was his sanctuary, and if something was broken, you could count on him to fix it. If Ken couldn’t fix it, it probably couldn’t be fixed. He seemed to know everything about everything and used that knowledge to help anyone who needed it, often before they even asked.

After losing Kathryn, Ken relocated to Kansas, where he threw himself into new projects, renovating two homes on his own, starting an orchard and embracing the quiet beauty of rural life. He enjoyed having “breakfast with the boys”, caring for his property and spoiling his beloved Rottweiler Emma and his cat Carl. He was known for deciding on a whim that he was going to take a long drive and always made sure to bring his fishing pole. He had a knack for finding hidden treasures like four-leaf clovers and arrowheads.

He was funny, generous and endlessly kind. He loved deeply, gave selflessly and lived fully. Whether it was through a shared story, a helping hand, or a simple smile, he made people feel seen and valued. Above all, Ken found happiness in the company of his family and friends, and his legacy will live on in the many lives he touched.

He is survived by his daughters Jess and Kary; his son-in-law, Steve; his grandchildren Amber, Forrest, and Kira; his great-granddaughter Freyja; his brothers Neil and Bob; his beloved pets, Emma and Carl and many extended family members and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Viven and Jean and the love of his life, Kathryn Farris.

Ken will be deeply missed, but his love, wisdom, and laughter will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.