Kenneth Craig Wells

Kenneth Craig Wells
February 8, 1946 - March 14, 2012
Resident of Santa Cruz
If you knew Kenneth, Ken, Kenny or in his younger years Craig Wells, you knew an extremely goofy, sensitive and loving man who lived for making others laugh and providing an understanding shoulder to lean on. This man had a different outlook on life than most. He treasured personal connections more than material things and put his family and friends before all other matters.
Ken was born in Eldora, Iowa to Kenneth and Mary Ann Wells. He was the eldest of two children, and leaves his sister Janet Gardner of Baldwin, Kansas, to cherish his memory.
The family moved around a lot when he was young from Indiana to Florida where he attended elementary and high school. He attended one year at the University of Florida before transferring to San Jose State University where he graduated with a Masters degree. Ken put down roots in San Jose and later Santa Cruz, California where he lived out the remainder of his life. He married Jan (Clifton) Passaro in 1975 whom he met at a beach party and the two were married for 9 years. They had two children: Loren Wells of Santa Cruz and Alanna Wells Minton of San Jose, CA.
Ken was a mail man for the United States Postal Service for 30 years and during his years of service he made many friends. He knew the customers on his route by name and always greeted them with a big warm smile. Ken was a great guy with many talents like one hand clapping. His trivia skills were unmatched and he loved social activities like billiards, bowling and horse shoes, where people would get together, laugh and enjoy themselves. He was also an avid reader, collector of art and made beautiful stained glass. Ken was by far the coolest Dad around and was present in his children's and their friend's lives when other parents were not. He listened; he cared, he wasn't afraid to give out hugs when needed. Ken Wells encountered many people in his life and touched the lives of many.
His family would like to extend a special thank you to the nurses and staff at Kindred in Santa Cruz for the care they provided him during the final years of his life.
There will be a celebration of his life held at 11:00am at Harvey West Park, Friendship picnic area on Sunday May 6th for all who would like to attend. For event information you may contact Alanna at lalawells@gmail .com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association.Donation contact: Kathryn G. Whitford, kwhit ford@apdaparkinson.org.