Kenneth Kay

Well, he done did it. True to his word he said he would die (didn't make his 82 birthday AND it's hunting season-damn) AND he did it while sleeping. Natch we weren't ready but are we ever?

Anyway, Kenneth Charles Kay (Baby Boy Kay on his birth certificate) was born at home in Vernal, UT, December 17, 1943, to Alvin Charles and Virginia Cooper Kay. Siblings are (Lanny) Lawrence (Joy), deceased; Charleen Self; Butch (Billie), deceased; Myrna (Carl) Cobbs, deceased and younger sister Jerrilyn (Ed) Callentine.

Ken graduated from Uintah High School in 1962 and from Rangely Jr. College in 1964 where he met his wife Martha Elizabeth Rank from Greeley, Colorado. They eloped in Elko, Nevada March 19, 1964. They have 3 children: K. Casey, Sammi Lynn and Tafni Ann.

He worked as a service station attendant, a traveling milkman (snicker, snicker) and part time making deliveries for Western Petroleum, a Chevron distributorship. They moved to Greeley, CO, where he worked for his father-in-law Sam Rank at R & R Well and Pump Co, a water well drilling business. After 2 years the family returned to Vernal. He went back to work for Hiland Dairy and Western Petroleum. Eventually he became co-owner of Western Petroleum and was in charge of the Ballard branch 30+ years until his 2005 retirement.

Ken was proud to be a charter member of the Vernal Elks Lodge, where he held numerous leadership positions and served at both the state and national levels. He was a dedicated Mason and a proud Shriner.

A true patriot, Ken showed his deep love for country in many ways. He started Flags Along Main, participated on July 4th celebrations-including setting off fireworks, one of his favorites-and supported various veterans' activities such as the annual luncheon, Hides for Vets, Flag Day observances, and the Red Shirt Fridays campaign. His patriotic passion for over 30 years was collecting service-worn flags for proper retirement.

Ken's heaven was Warren Draw on Diamond Mountain and his cabin (yes, with an outhouse. Indoor now!) which he and Marty, obviously not carpenters, built from an existing shell. He loved hunting (lots), side x side and ATV riding, cards and helping family farm and ranch.

While he dearly loved his son and daughters, there are 7 Grands and 6 Greats to treasure, hug, tease, support, cheer for and spoil. He loved Marty in good times and tough times. They were a twosome. Ken was a tenderheart who loved to tease and never met a stranger. We love and miss the mischievous devil, husband, Dad, Grandpa and Bompa.

He is survived by his most beloved and treasured friend and wife of 61 years, Marty; son KCK, and his daughters Kateylyn (Craig) Metcalf and Masey Kay; daughter Sammi (Drex) Bowden and their children Kassidi (Scott) Cummings, Dakota (Kristin) Bowden, MaKenzi Bowden; daughter Tafni (Shawn) Labrum and their children Kache (Elsha) Labrum and Keni Labrum. Great grandkids: Kohen, Lula Beth and Warren Bowden, Haizel and Landon Cummings and Hayz Labrum.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children and the Utah Benevolent Elks Trust (UBET), both 501-c3.

Graveside services for Ken will be held Saturday November 1, 2025 at 12:00pm in Vernal Memorial Park with Masonic, Shriners, and Elks rites. Following the graveside service there will be a Celebration of Life at the Vernal Elks Lodge (35 North 300 West) at 1:30pm. Services under the direction of the Phillips Ashley Valley Funeral Home.