Our sorrow is great in the loss of our wonderful, dedicated husband, father, grandfather and brother, Ken Meyer, yet there is joy in our hearts that we will someday meet again in a glorious reunion in Heaven.
A lifelong fly fisherman and hunter in the California foothills and Sierra Nevadas that were his home, Ken was born on Nov. 13, 1942, to parents Andree and Alfred Meyer in Diamond Springs, Calif. He graduated from Ringold School and El Dorado High School, attended Sacramento City College, Glendale and Phoenix Colleges in Arizona and Sacramento State University, with an emphasis on chemistry and water and wastewater management. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam war era and it was just his destiny to meet his future wife Katie (Pavelich) in Phoenix, Ariz., when they participated in the wedding of mutual friends. He retired from the El Dorado Irrigation District in 1999, after nearly 30 years of employment.
Ken was an avid backpacker and loved to take his boys backpacking and also backpack with his best friends Jack Pruett and Bob Boggus. He also loved ocean fishing and crabbing at Bodega Bay and all along California’s northern coast. He, Katie and the boys enjoyed taking long drives and traveling, and loved to have lots of fun family gatherings at their old Diamond Springs family home, built by his father and his maternal grandfather.
As a man of faith and a devout Christian, Ken would cut wood for widows and others in need as often as possible, and would help anyone he could when he saw a need. He attended Camino Community Church for many years, where he was active on the boards of the church and school there and sang in the choir for more than 20 years. He participated for a short time in the choir at the Pollock Pines Community Church, where he and Katie attended for the last 20 years and loved the fellowship there and made many friends. Yearly trips to Mount Hermon Christian Conference Grounds near Santa Cruz were always a highlight in Ken’s life and for the whole family.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Andree; and his brothers, Dick, Bud and Bob. He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Katie; his sons, Chris and Philip; four grandchildren, Makenzie, Ian, Dillan and Malorie; his brothers, Jerry (Marilyn) and Dave; and many nieces, nephews and other family members.
Ken was very proud to be a fourth-generation Californian from El Dorado County. His paternal great-grandparents came to California in 1860 and settled in the Grizzly Flats and Diamond Springs areas and established the Diamond Springs Hotel/Restaurant.
Those who knew Ken knew him to be a very fair, honest and kind man. Many of his fellow employees often told him that he was the best boss they ever had because he was always very fair to them and treated them with respect and kindness.
A memorial service will be held at the Pollock Pines Community Church, 6361 Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines, Calif., on Saturday, May 14 at 11 a.m. Ken’s smiling face will be missed by all who knew him. Arrangements entrusted to chapelofthepinesfunerals.com.
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