Obituary: Kenneth E. Cary

Kenneth E. Cary, 88, of Fort Collins passed away March 10 at Golden Peaks Care and Rehabilitation Center. A memorial service was held March 16 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

Ken was born on April 27, 1923, in Rawlins, Wyoming, to Ernest and Hazel (Sutherland) Cary. After parting ways with Ernest, Hazel returned to the Sutherland family ranch at Granite Canõn, Wyoming, to raise her children, Ken and daughter, Myrtle, with the aid and support of her brothers and sisters, in particular, her brothers, Harlow and Everett, who became Ken’s father figures and role models. He attended a one-room elementary school at Granite Canõn where he and Myrtle were sometimes the only students, before attending and graduating from Cheyenne Central High School. In addition to ranching, he worked as a mechanic in garages and dealerships owned by his uncle, Kenneth Sutherland.

Ken met Mildred Kruzic, a transplanted Iowan, on a blind date arranged by his sister. They were married on Feb.y 14, 1948. They had four sons: Steve, Tom, Keith and Rich. They operated a family-owned farm near Fort Collins for most of the 1950s before Ken pursued an education and career in electronic instrument repair. Most of that career was spent as an instrument calibration technician at Colorado State University’s Engineering Research Center.

After Ken’s retirement in 1984, they spent many winters in Harlingen, Texas, and summers in the cabin that they built in Red Feather Lakes. They traveled frequently throughout the U.S. and Mexico. Ken was a member of Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church and was active with the Fort Collinaders Square Dance group and the Wellington Senior Resources Center. He enjoyed coin collecting and was an endless source of help to his sons as a mechanic and electrician to keep several households and countless vehicles running smoothly.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred; his parents, Ernest and Hazel; his sister, Myrtle; and all six aunts, uncles and their spouses, who helped to raise him.

He is survived by his four sons, Steven (Connie), Keith (Marilyn), Richard, all of Fort Collins, and Thomas (Karen) of Loveland, Colorado; granddaughter, Arnetta; three step-granddaughters, Lisa, Deanne and Kathryn; six great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews around the country.

On behalf of Ken and his family, special thanks go to the staffs of Poudre Valley Hospital, Fort Collins Health Care Center, Right at Home, Sterling House Assisted Living, and Golden Peaks Care and Rehabilitation Center for their efforts on his behalf over the past 15 months.

Contributions in lieu of flowers, can be made to Smile Train in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive St., Fort Collins, Colorado 80524. Friends may send condolences to the family at bohlenderfuneralchapel.com.