Kenneth S. Valis

Kenneth S. Valis died suddenly on July 12, 2007 at home on Whidbey Island.

Ken was born at home in New York City, N.Y. to John and Sadie Valis on Sept. 19, 1921. The family moved to rural New Jersey in June of 1932 when his father purchased land with the proceeds of a cigarette company contest.

Ken was a whiz at school, a spelling champion and graduated from high school in Somerville, N.J. at 16. He got a job and enrolled in Rutgers University.

When the United States entered World War II, Ken enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He was a B-24 pilot in the 446th Bomb Group, 2nd Air Division, 8th US Army Air Force.

His B-24 was the twelfth heavy bomber over Normandy on D-Day. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters, and the European Theater Operations, American Defense and Rhineland Campaign ribbons.

After the war, he was stationed at Buckley Air Force Base in Denver, Colo. where he met the love of his life, 17-year-old Vel. Ken was the head of Unit Personnel and Vel worked in his department.

After three dates, they were married at the base chapel.

Ken resumed his studies and graduated from the University of Denver before being recalled to active duty and assigned to Germany. Vel and their two daughters, Debora and Mindy, joined Ken in Wiesbaden where their son Kevin was born in 1953.

Ken worked for Burroughs Corporation until he saved enough money to buy Colorado Paint Company, which he developed into a highly successful business.

Ken was active in service and civic groups, ran for the Denver School Board and implemented job training programs throughout the city. He was a highly esteemed and innovative business leader and community activist in Denver.

Ken and Vel thoroughly enjoyed winters among friends in Palm Desert, Calif. Recently they relocated their summer residence to Whidbey Island to be close to family at sea level.

Ken’s extensive network of friends and family will remember him for his great intellect and incredible memory, his wonderful sense of humor, his huge storehouse of stories — true and semi-true — and his ability to make every occasion fun. He was the life of the party everywhere he went. He had a reputation as a bargain hunter but was truly generous with his time and money.

Most of all, Ken loved, and was loved by, his family. Vel, his lifelong sweetheart and wife of 61 years was by his side through sickness and health, sharing all his joys and sorrows. He was a loving father to his four children; Debora, Melinda, Kevin and Kendra. He adored his grandchildren; Matthew, Joey, Kathryn, Keenan, Griffin, Addie, Mitch, Lili and Tristan. He died the day before meeting his great-granddaughter Cayle. He was active in his grandchildren’s lives and they adored him. They will miss their amazing, smart and funny grandpa.

Ken read national and local newspapers every day and had a legendary recall of facts and figures. He was the central figure in his extended family. His robust enjoyment of life and his vitality continued through his last day. He was a war hero, a devoted husband, father and grandfather, an engaged citizen and generous friend.

In addition to his wife, children and grandchildren, he is also survived by his sister Shirley Adornato and brother Lawrence Valis.

He was predeceased by his brothers Stanley, Harold and Donald.

Funeral arrangements were made by Visser Funeral Home in Langley. He was cremated and will be buried at Fort Logan Cemetery in Denver with a memorial service following on Sept. 15, 2007. Contributions can be made to the American Heart Association and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.