Ken Easterday

Born on August 25th, 1924 to Paul B and Naomi Easterday in Charlestown, West Virginia. The fourth born in a family of five, (John Paul, Louise, Don and Doug) Ken graduated from Charlestown High School, class of 1943. Upon graduation, Ken joined the US Army infantry and landed on Omaha Beach at DDAY in WWII where he fought in the European Theatre throughout the war. He became a candidate for Officer’s Training School. It was then that he was assigned to Japan as part of the military transitional government. He served in the Korean War where he met some of his closest friends, Walt Klepeis, Scherm Schluer, Curt Freeman and other band of band of brothers. Over the years, Ken would travel to the reunions of his Korean War Veteran comrades. After Korea, Ken was assigned to Kassel, Germany. He then served in various other posts and was sent to Vietnam in 1964-1965. He retired from the US Army in 1965 as a Major and was highly decorated throughout his military career. Ken was married to Barbara Kinsel in 1951. His son, Kenny, was born April 19, 1952 in Pasa Robles, CA. His second child, Kathleen, was born in Charlestown, WV on January 1, 1954. His daughter, Kristine, was born in Frankfurt, Germany on December 5th, 1955. Both daughters Karen (Dec 1, 1959) and Diane (March 26, 1963) at Madigan Army Hospital at Ft Lewis, Washington. After retirement from the army, Ken worked for Equitable Life Insurance and then as a loan officer for Continental Bank. Up to his death, he was an inspector for Venture Bank in Olympia. His son, Michael, (June 27, 1980) is now proudly taking over the inspection business from his father. Ken was a very brave and gallant soldier. He served his country for 22 years but never stopped being a patriot. His love of country and family was apparent throughout his life. He led a full and enriched life and in later years was honored y receiving the salute from the Black Watch, meeting WWII Russian generals and toasting the Three Tenors at News Years Eve. He was a fine soldier, proud father and a great warrior. He was an avid hunter and fly fisherman. He loved classical music and opera, fine wine and dining, was a great cook and voracious reader. He died peacefully with his family around him. We will miss him. In addition to his siblings, Louise, Don and Doug, he is survived by his children, Kathleen, Kristine, Karen, Diane and Michael, 3 grandchildren Shawna, Ryan and Jacob and 2 great grandchildren Tyler and Taryn. He dearly loved his two son-in-laws, Stuart Andrews and Michael Heckinger and daughter-in-law, Amanda Easterday, stepgrandsons, Jamie, Chris and Phillip Heckinger. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Assured Hospice of Olympia. Funeral services will be held at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent on Nov 9th at 12:30 with a reception nearby at Lake Wilderness Lodge and Resort. "Whoever does not have the stomach for this fight, let him depart. Give him money to speed his departure, since we wish not to die in that man's company. Whoever lives past today and comes home safely will rouse himself every year on this day, show his neighbor his scars, and tell embellished stories of all their great feats of battle. These stories he will teach his son and from this day until the end of the world we shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; for whoever has shed his blood with me shall be my brother. And those men afraid to go will think themselves lesser men as they hear of how we fought and died together." Henry V