Kenneth Allen Wright

Kenneth Allen Wright died on March 29, 2011 at Longmont United Hospital surrounded by his wife and family. He was 80 years old.Ken was born in Beloit, Kansas on July 15, 1930, to William (Harold) and Bonnie Wright. Ken grew up in Longmont (though the family moved briefly to Salem, Oregon), and attended area schools. He was a member of Longmont High School class of 1948. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp at the age of 17 and served his country as a radio mechanic for four years. He held the rank of Sgt. Stationed state-side at the El Toro Marine Base in California, he often joked that he fought the Battle of El Toro. He was Honorably Discharged in June 1952.He married Carmen Ilene (Tootie) Barr on July 17, 1954 at Mission San Gabriel in California. He liked to say that he loved her from the day they met when they were both five years old. Six children were born of their deep and abiding love. Daniel Harold (Sheri Davis), Kathryn Ann (Jeff Greenlee), James Allen, Donald Lee (Nancy), Susan Ilene (L.G. Willden), and Joan Marie (Jon Willden). Ken and Carmen have thirteen grandchildren “ Daniel Wright, Devin (Charlotte) Willden, Jake (Ryann) Willden, Katie (Jason) Schr der, Jared (Jessica) Willden, Kara (Rex) Weber, Jordan Willden, Seth Willden, Jon Willden Jr., Mary Kate Willden, Lindsay Willden, Sean Willden, and Nathan Willden. The couple also have fourteen great-grandchildren. He often remarked in awe on the size of his family and the love he held in his heart for them.Ken started with Pacific Telephone Company in California in 1954 as a lineman and became an installer/repairman and test deskman. He moved his family back to Longmont in 1969, transferring to the Mountain States Telephone Company and became a supervisor in 1971. He retired from Mtn. Bell in 1982. Ken was a member of Telephone Pioneers of America, American Legion Post 32, BPO Elks 1055 and St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Throughout his life, Ken had a love of music, which he passed on to his children and grandchildren. As a youngster he was a singer at the Hayseed dances in Longmont, often called upon to sing the Moonlight Waltz. Following in his father's footsteps, he played the piano and trumpet by ear. He loved big band music, particularly Count Basie and Frank Sinatra. He enjoyed singing with his family.He was preceded in death by his infant son James, his parents Bonnie and Harold, and his sisters Nancy and Donna (Don Sylvers).Services will be held at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel on Friday, April 1, at 2:30 p.m. Interment will follow at Longmont Mountain View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Legion Post 32 or BPO Elks 1055.