Kenneth Charles Medearis

Kenneth Charles Medearis 9/8/1929 - 6/11/2023 Kenneth Charles Medearis, (Ken), 93 of Corvallis, OR passed away on Sunday June 11th in Albany, OR. Ken was born in Detroit Michigan September 8, 1929. His parents moved the family to Kansas when he was one. He was the middle child of three boys and raised in Kansas City, KS. He was the son of Donald N. Medearis, pediatrician who didn’t have the heart to charge struggling families for his medical service during the depression years which may be the origin of Ken’s charitable nature. His mother, Gladys S. Medearis, was a high school English teacher before having her own three boys. Could be a reason why he had beautiful penmanship. Ken attended Park Grade school, Central Jr. High and Wyandotte High School all in Kansas City, KS. While attending Wyandotte High Ken was involved in many activities. Such as drama club, tennis and was the center for the football team. In drama he once was awarded the lead role against Ed Asner (Lou Grant). After High School Ken enrolled and attended the University of Kansas (KU), Lawrence, KS 1948 -1955. His college education was interrupted for his service in the US Navy as a communications officer in the Korean war 1951-1953. Ken returned to KU and earned his BS in Business Industrial Management and a BS in Mechanical Engineering graduating in 1955. He continued his education and earned a Masters in Industrial Engineering from Stanford University in 1958. Ken met Nancy Gibson, a primary education teacher, and married in 1959. They had three children; two daughters and a son and raised the family in Oregon. After 27 years of marriage, Nancy passed as a result of a horseback riding accident. Within a few years Ken met and married Kathleen (Kathy) Egan a pediatric nurse in Corvallis, OR. Kathleen came with five children of her own. Ken’s family grew to a family of eight adult children. He enjoyed spending time with all of his kids aiding in any way he could as they navigated young adulthood. Ken and Kathy spent 17 years together traveling, volunteering, spending time with friends in addition to serving their family and community before she passed of cancer in 2004. Eventually Ken met and married Nancy Adams of Corvallis. She was co-owner of Inkwell Furniture in Corvallis and had two daughters. Ken’s family expanded again to now include a total of ten adult children. Ken and Nancy were married and resided in a home in Stoneybrook Village, Corvallis, OR. After 10 years of marriage Nancy passed in 2015. In 2019 Ken moved into Stoneybrook Lodge and continued to make friends and influence people with his positive nature. Ken met one more lovely lady, Barbara Regan of Corvallis, OR. Barbara has been a dear friend and companion the past few years. Ken knew he was blessed. He said the good Lord gave him the capacity to love again after the passing of each previous wife. By his faith and ability to love, his family grew and all benefited from his example as well as benefiting from the expanding family and the relationships that developed. Professionally Ken spent the majority of his career with Pacific Power & Light in Portland, OR. He promoted within the company and moved as the division manager in various locations such as Hood River, Corvallis and Medford OR. Golf was a favorite pastime. He loved the challenge of the game and friendships made throughout the years. He was a long time member of rotary. Ken was also a sports fan, he especially loved college football. He was a huge supporter of his local OSU Beavers and often wore black and orange demonstrating his allegiance. Ken stated he was grateful for his parents who instilled in him morals which he adopted as his own. Such as his personal values of faith in our Lord, family, country and service to his fellow man. He demonstrated his faith by leading his family in a Godly manner, providing, protecting and loving his wife and children. Ken was a generous person with a kind heart. Ken was a man of integrity. He had a saying, “Always do right, it will please many people and amaze the rest.” He walked his talk and leaves behind a legacy of family who loved him and admired him and were amazed by him. You can tell a lot about a man by the company he keeps and Ken was surrounded by many kind and caring people, a reflection of who Ken was. His legacy is in his love of family and extended family that loves and enjoys the new relationships Ken initiated. Ken was a patriotic man. He believed in his country and served his country proudly. In 7th grade he wrote in his school autobiography that he intended to serve if WWII was still going on by the time he was old enough to enlist in the military. After his US Naval service in the 50’s he continued to serve by supporting various charitable organizations designed to assist veterans. To his dying day he had the American flag pinned to the lapel of all his sports jackets. Ken was a man of service as evidenced by his lifelong commitment to giving back to his community through service organization memberships and leadership roles. Ken was ready to go home to his Heavenly Father. He will be missed but it is easy to imagine he is rejoicing in his new home as he is greeted by many loved ones. Ken is preceded in death by his parents, Donald N. and Gladys S. Medearis, his older brother, Donald N. Medearis Jr., Nancy V. Medearis, Kathleen Egan, and Nancy A. Adams. Ken is survived by his younger brother Robert Medearis, his dear friend Barbara Regan, three biological children, six step-children, six biological grandchildren and 13 step-grandchildren. A Celebration of life service will be held at 2;00 pm with reception to follow on Saturday Sept. 9, 2023 at the Club House at Stoneybrook, 4700 SW Hollyhock Circle, Corvallis, OR. Memorial donations may be made to Tunnel to Towers or Lumina Hospice of Corvallis, OR as these organizations were personal and dear to his heart. Please share your thoughts and memories for the family at www.mchenryfuneralhome.com

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Kenneth Charles Medearis

September 8, 1929 - June 11, 2023