Kenneth Lloyd Mead

Kenneth Lloyd Mead was reunited with his late wife, Theresa, on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at the ripe age of 88 years. He was the eldest child born on March 4, 1929 in Seattle, Washington to parents, Kenneth and Vivian Mead. Kenneth is survived by his five children... Michele Schmaltz (Mike); Mark Mead; Mona Anderson (Bill); Matt Mead (Ann); Mike Mead (Karen), seven grandchildren... Colton Mead, Carly Mead, Keiren Mead, Kylee Mead, Shelbyrae Anderson, Austen Anderson, Brent Schmaltz & Krista Hendershot (Matt). He is also survived by his three siblings... Vernice Briggs, Jack Mead and Judy Bakken. He was preceded in death by his wife, Theresa B. (Quinnett) Mead, only three months prior almost to the day and hour. In his earlier years, he attended and graduated from West Seattle High School before joining the Air Force as a radio operator for four years. Shortly after his honorable discharge, he met, fell in love and married his late wife, Theresa Belle Quinnett. Ken and Theresa met at Centennial Flour Mills and were married on June 14, 1952. Their enduring love lasted for 64 years and they were blessed with five children. Ken worked for over 30 years at Pacific NW Bell/US West as a central office technician. He also was a volunteer fireman for White Center. They lived in Burien, Washington for many years before moving to Sumner, Washington. Ken lived an interesting life full of love and laughter; trials and tribulations. Beneath that gruff, proud, stoic exterior was a heart of gold. His many loves were his late wife, his children, his grandchildren, anything sports related especially baseball, traveling, casinos, tinkering with cars or other projects in his garage, court TV, Diet Pepsi, popcorn and pepperoni snacks. It was a wonder what he could do with some ingenuity, wood and a roll of duct tape. Sports played a prominent part in his life. Ken and Theresa loved to watch their kids and grandkids play baseball, softball, soccer, basketball, football, tennis, wrestling or bowling. Not only would they go to the games, they also attended the practice sessions. He coached his son, Mark's baseball team for many years, was a scorekeeper for a traveling semi-pro team where his youngest sons were ball and bat boys, played on a recreational work softball team, coached/managed a family slow pitch team when he was 62 years of age and was an avid fan and season ticket holder for the Tacoma Rainiers. Many a time, those "boys in blue" would get an earful from the stands from Ken Mead. Not only did he love baseball, but he also loved to watch NASCAR races including the Daytona 500, rooting on his favorite local driver, Kasey Kahne. This was why driving a race car around the Monroe track going over 100 miles per hour for Father's Day was so special for him. Ken and Theresa travelled throughout the years. They took a bus trip to Alaska, spending many days on travelling across the various states visiting casinos along the way. Ken always says that they had been to every casino between Washington and California. Ken was a hard-working, family man that instilled in all his children a strong work ethic. He was never late or absent in all the 30 years he worked for the phone company. He believed in going to work and getting there on time. He was known for his witty, insightful sayings and famous words of wisdom. Most of his children have heard these sayings once or twice… "You can't have a champagne appetite on a beer budget.", "Let it go like rain off a duck's back", "Close the door. Were you born in a barn?" or "Use your head for something besides a hat rack." You know “I just spent some of your money.” When asked how to spell words, he often responded “Spell it like it sounds. “ For years his son, Mark, spelled "stupid" as "stewpid". We will miss him, however, knowing that he is now holding the hand of his wife and no longer in pain has brought comfort to us all. You will forever be in our hearts and prayers. Following the family funeral service at 9:00 am on Friday, June 9, 2017 at Tahoma National Cemetery, a celebration of Ken's life will be held from 4-8 pm at the Red Lotus Restaurant. All are welcome to join us to at the Red Lotus to celebrate his life. The Red Lotus Address: 714 Auburn Way N, Auburn, WA 98002 Phone: (253) 833-6233 A FALLEN LIMB (unknown author) A limb has fallen from the family tree. I keep hearing a voice that says "Grieve not for me. Remember the best times, the laughter, the song. The good life I lived while I was strong. Continue my heritage, I'm counting on you. Keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through. My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest. Remembering all, how I truly was blessed. Continue traditions, no matter how small. Go on with your life, don't worry about falls. I miss you all dearly, so keep up your chin. Until the day comes, we're together again."