Kenneth Thomas Lauhon, age 81 of Coupeville, died Saturday, Aug. 9, 2008.

He was born on Sept. 28, 1926 in Seattle to William and Ruth Lauhon.

He grew up on Alki Beach and graduated from West Seattle High School in 1944. Right after high school, Ken enlisted in the Army, serving as a military policeman in Germany after the war.

On June 25, 1949, Ken married Dolores Cronquist. He attended the University of Washington, receiving his bachelor of arts degree in geology.

Ken was employed for a short time with Superior Oil in Texas before returning to the Northwest. He then worked for Boeing, where one of his favorite positions was with the hydrofoil. After 35 years with the company, Ken retired.

After losing Dolores, his wife of 25 years, Kenneth married Louise McDonough Macaulay on Aug. 11, 1978. Together they moved to Whidbey Island, where they have lived for 20 years.

Ken loved rhododendrons and was a member of the Rhododendron Society in Seattle for most of his life. He enjoyed fly-fishing – tying his own flies – and Salmon fishing. Ken always loved the outdoors, especially camping trips to Lake Chelan, and the spring trip to Kalaloch. Ken participated in the Coupeville Farmers Market for 10 years, selling Dwarf Conifers.

His latest passion, though, was his model trains. He was a member of the Trains 101 club and met with friends every Thursday morning to “play trains.”

A memorial gathering will be held at the family home at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations have been suggested to Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens, PO Box 154, Greenbank, WA 98253 or the Coupeville Farmers Market.

Kenneth is survived by his wife of 30 years, Louise; daughters Gayle, Janyce, and Barbara; son Ron; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife Dolores.