Kenneth Harris

Ken Harris was a man of vision, who had the courage to try new ventures, and the strength to follow them through. He was a born leader, a tireless worker, and a selfless family man, who devoted his life to caring for those around him. More than anything, Ken was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, whose legacy lives on in his beloved family today. Ken's story began on a cold winter day in 1928, as the winds whipped off the shores in Erie, Pennsylvania. Those were good times in this country, the twilight of the Roaring 20s, and the calm before the terrible storm of the Great Depression. On January 21, 1928, Howard and Mildred (Diehl) Harris celebrated the birth of a baby boy, a son they named Kenneth Leroy Harris. Ken was the second of four children in the family's home, joining older sisters Jackie and youger sisters Jerry and June. Ken's dad was a hardworking pipefitter at G.E., while his mother cared for the kids. Ken had a wonderful childhood growing up, from his sisters spoiling him rotten, to the baseball and tennis he played in the summer, and all the sledding he did in the wintertime. Like his dad, Ken was also a hard worker, even as a little boy. He sold magazines door-to-door, including the Saturday Evening Post, True Grit and Colliers, and also helped distribute gas-rationing coupons, which made him a very popular guy! Ken always had lots of friends, though, and everyone liked him. When he was in high school, he worked at the movie theater as a usher, and his family was so proud to see him in his usher's uniform. It wouldn't be the last uniform he wore, however. Ken graduated from high school a year early, at just 17, and promptly lied about his age to join the U.S. Navy! World War II had ended by then, but Ken served his country in the engine room of the USS Midway, which patrolled the Mid-Atlantic. After his two-year enlistment ended, Ken returned to Erie, where he enrolled at Gannon University in his hometown. He eventually earned his Bachelor's degree in Accounting, but found more than a diploma in those days. One evening Ken went on a blind date with a beautiful young woman named Dorothy Verdoni, and it was love at first sight for Ken! He knew right then and there she was the one for him, and just three months later, they were married, on June 10, 1950! The newlyweds settled in Erie for awhile, and Ken worked several different jobs to make ends meet. Back in those early days, Ken also was an avid softball player, and earned the nickname Moose. Ken loved softball so much, in fact, he missed the birth of his first child, son John, because he went to the game first! Dorothy never let him forget it, either. That would be the first and last time Ken wasn't there for his family, however, a family which continued to grow over the years. Son Thomas joined the family in 1955, David in '56, Daniel in '58, and twins Kenneth and Richard came along in 1960, though Richard sadly died when he was just three months old. To provide for his growing family, Ken took a job with a housing development in Florida, and the family packed up and headed south. Their stay was short-lived, however, and they returned to Erie, where Ken went to work for Republic Water Heater, which then transferred him to Chicago. It wasn't long before Ken found a better job in Grand Haven, Michigan, but when he showed up on his first day, the boss told him his job had been given to a family member, who was recently fired from another job! Undaunted, Ken asked where he had been fired from, and went right there and applied. Ken was hired as a controller at Kaydon Corp. in Muskegon, by the owner, Mr. Frauenthal. Ken advanced quickly, and in 1969, he was promoted to Vice President and Treasurer of the company. Ken and his family settled into a home on Greenfield Street in Norton Shores. In 1971, when Kaydon was sold, Ken bought the Grand Rapids Aluminum Casting Company from local businessmen Bill Holt and Bob Cope. Ken worked tirelessly at the foundry to make it successful, and his sons recall work being their dad's favorite hobby. Ken led by example, and took great care of his employees, who both respected and loved him. Ken worked long hours, but was always there when his family needed him. Dorothy did most of the raising, but Ken imparted on his sons the value of hard work, and even brought them to work to help out on occasion. The family always made time to be together, and went on many memorable vacations over the years, including to New Orleans, New York, and a special, month-long trip to California, when the boys were teenagers. Ken and Dorothy also made time to be together, and had a large group of close, fun-loving friends they nicknamed, "The Dirty Dozen." The group enjoyed socializing and even traveled together on occasion, too. In 1980, the ever-industrious Ken started another company, called KL Industries, which manufactured paddleboats. As the company grew by leaps and bounds over the next four years, four of Ken's sons joined him. In 1988, they sold the foundry, and moved the paddleboat business to Muskegon, where they enjoyed even greater success. By the time Ken retired in 1990 at the age of 72, he and his sons had formed five different companies, everything from manufacturing to land development to restaurants. He was so proud of his successes, but even prouder of his sons. The Muskegon community was very proud of Ken, its adopted son. Ken's career was a very positive force in the Muskegon area, and his companies provided employment for many people, too. He was a very active member of the Rotary Club, and the Muskegon Country Club, where he loved to play golf in his "spare" time. Ken's retirement was tempered by his wife's declining health, however. Dorothy had been diagnosed with emphysema in the late 80s, and the doctors didn't give her long to live. Ken doted on her, selflessly caring for her every way he could, for the next 10 years. Though his sons say he gave her the best years of his life, he never complained and was always full of compassion for her. Dorothy's illness prevented them from being too involved with their grandchildren, but they were there as much as possible, and never tired of talking about them. They did have special Sunday dinners at their house each week, where the kids would swim in the pool, or go for boat rides. Sadly, Dorothy died in 1999, which affected Ken deeply. He started developing Parkinson's disease, which slowed him down, yet he continued to drive, probably longer than he should have. After he stopped driving, he had no shortage of friends and family to come get him to go out and about. In 2004, Ken moved into the Dayspring Assisted Living Center, where he made many new friends, and the staff was so helpful. Sadly, Ken died peacefully on Memorial Day Monday, May 28, 2007, at the age of 79. Ken was a wonderful man, a true gentleman, so full of class, character and charisma. He was a man of vision, of determination, and of strength, whose great legacy lives on in his family, and his community today. He will be greatly missed. Surviving are Ken's 5 sons, John (Julie) of Brighton, MI, Thomas, David (Jan), Daniel (Kelly), Kenneth (Melissa) all of Muskegon; 1 sister, June (Tom) Rogers of KY; 18 grand children and 2 great-grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by a son, Richard, in 1960. Services are Thursday, May 31, 2007, 11:00 AM at St. Francis deSales Catholic Church with Fr. Thomas G. Simons officiating. Interment at St. Mary's Cemetery. Visitation is Wednesday, 2-4 & 6-8 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Harbor Hospice. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or sign the online guest book.