“KEN”
Kenneth T. (Ken) Renaud passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on January 23, 2024. He had fought a very long and courageous battle with heart disease and melanoma cancer.
Ken was born in St. Louis, Mo. on September 10, 1942. He was the son of Joseph Martin Renaud and Isabell Mary Schumer and was the youngest of eleven children. There were seven boys – Clyde, Joseph, Merl, Billy, Ron, Jim and Ken and four girls – Thelma, Hilda, Shirley and Margaret. He always joked that it took eleven tries to get the best!
In 1958 he came to California and met the love of his life, Nancy Jones, at Valencia High School in Placentia. They were married at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on June 15, 1963 and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this past year. Ken was an outstanding basketball player and led the Tigers to their first CIF finals. He continued his education on basketball scholarships at Mt. San Antonio College and then transferred to Cal State LA for three more years where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business.
He worked for North American Aviation for two years as a contracts manager before joining Master Specialties Company in Costa Mesa as a product manager. The company was sold to Eaton Corporation where he worked as a marketing manager and a plant manager until his retirement in 2000.
Ken and Nancy were blessed to have three children – Debbie, Lisa and Mike – who grew up in Yorba Linda and Brea. Family was the most important thing to Ken and he coached all three in soccer as well as basketball and little league. He spent many years watching his children, other family members, friend’s children and neighbors play sports. The highlight of his later years was watching his grandchildren play sports and cheering them on.
Ken loved spending time with family and wonderful friends. He loved all sports and especially enjoyed playing golf when he was able to. He loved game shows, playing cards and the family football pool. He was known to be a little competitive too!
He is survived by Nancy, his loving wife of 60 years, his three children Debbie (Mark) Erbach, Lisa Renaud, Michael (Lori) Renaud and four grandchildren Nick, Justin, Tyler and Brianna. He is also survived by four “adopted” grandchildren Whitney, Drake, Nolan and Ryan Henry who have always been a part of their family. He is survived by sisters Shirley Schaefer and Margaret Michel and many nieces and nephews and their families.
The family wishes to specially thank Dr. William Batty, Dr. Roy Panares, Lisa Hanna, Lori Waldstreicher, and Jason Tse for their care and guidance on this journey.
Ken was a kind, loving man and he will be forever in our hearts!
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