Kenneth Malcolm Pike
(1918-2015)

Kenneth (Ken) Pike was born on August 27, 1918 in El Paso, Texas to Alva Benjamin Pike and Marion (Millis) Pike. He was the couple's second child. Ken had an older sister, Betty, who passed away in 2012, and a younger sister, Agatha (Aggie), who passed away in 2011. Ken's younger brother, Clayton, was killed in action during World War II. Ken's mother, a school teacher, lost her battle with cancer in 1947. Ken's father was an entrepreneur who owned a cable car business in El Paso and a nightclub in Juarez, Mexico during the prohibition era. He passed away in 1963.

The Pike family relocated to an 80-acre farm in Carlsbad, New Mexico when Ken was 12 years old. Ken was third in his high school graduating class of 1937. After high school, Ken worked at the Pot Ash mine in Carlsbad and met Mildred (Millie) Haggard, the lady he married in 1941 and with whom he spent 60 wonderful years. Millie passed away on May 15, 2002, after a short, but difficult, period of illness. Ken and Millie had two sons, David and Coy. David was diagnosed with diabetes when he was 12 years old and passed away from the disease in 1978 at the age of 35.

Ken served in the Army during World War II, and was stationed in combat in the Philippines. Later, during the occupation of Japan, Ken was a Military Police Officer. After the war, Ken moved the family to Rosemead, California to operate, with his father and sister Aggie, the "Blue Bargain" furniture store. In 1957, Ken became the sole owner of the furniture store and later renamed it, "Pike's Fine Quality Furniture." The business thrived for many years. Ken became active in local politics and civic affairs, serving on the Rosemead planning and traffic commissions, Rosemead City Council for two terms, and as the Mayor in 1973-74. He also served as President of the Rosemead Chamber of Commerce and sat on the board of the historic Savannah Pioneer Cemetery. After retiring from the furniture business, he was a successful real estate agent for Herbert Hawkins Realty in Temple City for a number of years. Ken was also an active member of the Rosemead Kiwanis Club for 30 years and served as the President of the Club three times. He was a tireless supporter of the Kiwanis Club, and into his early-nineties could be frequently seen during the apple fund-raising season canvassing the neighborhood drumming up community support for the Club.

In 2013, Ken moved from Rosemead to Stevensville, Montana, to spend time with his son Coy and Coy's wife, Linda. Ken passed away peacefully, in his sleep, of natural causes at the age of 97.

Ken will always be remembered for his quick wit, fierce determination (some might say stubbornness), grand story-telling ability, hearty laugh and big smile, and above all, his generous spirit. He was a kind and loving husband, father, grandfather, and a great friend to many.

Ken is survived by his beloved son, Coy; his granddaughter, Valerie; his great-granddaughters, April and Iris; his daughter-in-law, Linda, and her children, Denise and Matthew; grandchild, Kayla, and great-grandchildren, Jaiden, Joshua, and Lilah; and his daughter-in-law, Virginia (Ginny).

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 3rd, at 11:30 a.m. at Rosemead Christian Church, 8750 East Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California, (626) 960-2700. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ken's memory may be made to the Rosemead Christian Church or the Rosemead Kiwanis Club.

Published in San Gabriel Valley Tribune on Sept. 19, 2015

(courtesy of contributor #48112715)