Kenneth Nicklas Prairie, 86, passed away on Sunday, June 8, 2014. Ken was born October 3, 1927, in Ojai, California, to Henry Prairie and Josephine (Solari) Prairie, who were both second generation Californians. Ken’s family was among the founding families in the “gold country” of Mariposa County (Indian Gulch). His family moved to Ventura in 1922 and later to Ojai in 1924 where Ken attended Ojai schools, graduating from Nordhoff High School. Ken was the youngest of three brothers. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Henry Joseph Prairie and Eugene Clarence Prairie and two nephews, David Prairie and Stephen Prairie.
Ken is survived by his wife Dorothy A. (Hobart) Prairie; four children, Susan A. Rosario (Tony), Michael W. Prairie (Hiromi), Bonnie P. Ryan (Kevin) and Lucinda G. Garner. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Brian Rosario, Amy Rosario, Matthew Drummond (Mary), Kathleen Garner, Sara Garner Madrigal (Drew), Jennifer Prairie Bear (Ryan), Bradford Prairie and Alex Prairie; one great grandson, Matthew Shae Drummond; and one nephew, Dennis Prairie (Janice).
Ken loved the Ojai Valley. While attending Nordhoff High School he was class president and participated in student government. He was an avid tennis player and participated in “The Ojai” Tennis Tournament several years. Ken loved to watch the Ojai matches during his later years. He attended nearly every Nordhoff High School class reunion.
During World War II, Ken served in the Army. Upon his discharge he became a member of the American Veterans Committee (WWII Veterans) and was chairman for two years.
Ken was a journeyman printer by trade. He started printing at Nordhoff High School and worked as an apprentice printer at the Ojai Publishing Company owned by Frank and Blanche Kilbourne, who were the publishers of THE OJAI, the weekly newspaper for the Ojai Valley for many years. In 1951, Ken and Bob Andrews (former editor of the Ojai) started a second weekly paper in competition to THE OJAI under the name of the “Ojai Valley News.” Ken later sold his interest in the Ojai Valley News to Bob Andrews. Ken worked at newspapers in Ojai, for the Santa Paula Chronicle, the Ventura County News, the Santa Barbara News Press and the Ventura Star Free Press.
He has always been active in politics and has participated in many local public interest projects and activities. In 1950, Ojai Mayor, Fred Linder, appointed Ken to the Ojai Planning Commission. During that time the planning commission worked on devising the first planning Committee ordinance by the City of Ojai. Ken was elected to the Ojai City Council in 1952. He served as mayor of Ojai during his tenure. In 1956 he did not seek re-election as he and his family moved to Santa Paula. During his service on the City Council, the council passed new planning ordinances, restructured the Ojai Police Department and City Maintenance Departments and was instrumental in the annexation of the “Y,” and the property on which Nordhoff high school is now located.
Ken was a lifetime member of the Ojai Art Center, joining in 1953. He was the Chairman of the Board from 1954-1957, succeeding Charles T. Butler, the founder of the Ojai Art Center.
The Prairie family moved to Santa Paula in 1956 where all of their children attended St. Sebastian School. Ken traveled in his work but was always home for the weekend activities and Sunday 11 o’clock Mass. Most weekends there were family trips to visit all the grandparents in Ojai. Ken loved family and most of all “visiting.” Ken kept in contact with each and every relative and many friends over the years by phone and by text. No birthday or special event went without a phone call or message from him. He was a caring and thoughtful man!
In 1970, after all their children had completed high school, Ken and Dorothy moved to Ventura. After the move, Ken’s activities were primarily focused on union affairs, his political work and the grandkids.
Ken was very active in union affairs. He received a special International Union Assignment to Los Angeles in 1960 and a year later was appointed as a permanent International Representative of the International Typographical Union. Ken has worked as a Union Representative for over 50 years.
Ken was the President of the Ventura Typographical Union from 1956-1960. As an International Representative, Ken established organizational campaigns for the Southern California Unions, as well as handling internal union affairs. During his service with the Union he worked throughout the United States, most often in the western and southwestern states, California, Nevada and Hawaii.
He was a delegate to the San Francisco International Convention, representing the Ventura Typographical Union in 1958, on the Laws Committee at the International Convention in Dallas Texas, and was the Chairman of the First Legislative Committee for the Union in Denver, Colorado in 1960. Ken attended more than 50 International Conventions as staff or as a delegate.
Ken was a special delegate from the Union to the Los Angeles County Labor Council. He was elected as a vice president to the Executive Board representing the newspaper and printing trades and the Communication Workers of America. Ken retained that position as well as being a Delegate to the Tri Counties Labor Council until his death.
He was a member of the American Legion, active in the Lions Club International from 1948-2014 and in the International Typographical Union (1948-1987) and the Communication Workers ITU/CWA of America (1987-2014). Ken continued working until his death on June 8, 2014. He was a truly dedicated and a loyal supporter of the Union.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Thomas Q. Kong, Jr., Dr. Cedric B. Emery, Dr. Stephen Covington and Dr. Kevin Chang for their special care of Ken. The Prairie family is grateful for the services of Livingston Hospice Nurse, Tamara, and Care Givers, Ivan and Stacy, for their commitment to Ken’s care.
Visitation to be held at Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura on Sunday, June 15, 2014, from 3:00 until 4:00 P.M. with a vigil service beginning at 4:00 P.M.
Funeral Mass will be held at the San Buenaventura Mission, 211 E. Main St, Ventura on Monday, June 16, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. with interment to follow at Ivy Lawn Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at TedMayrFuneralHome.com.
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