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Ken Rand Obituary

Ken Rand 1946 ~ 2009 Ken "Media Man!" Rand "kicked the bucket," as he would say, April 21, 2009.Born July 19, 1946, in Spokane, WA, he lived in Port Chicago, CA, and Wyoming. His final years were spent in West Jordan, UT, where he died peacefully at home with his family by his side. Ken worked as a freelance writer, reporter, photographer, talk show host and producer, editor, actor, and announcer for sports events and daredevil shows. Ken wrote more than a hundred short stories, two hundred humor columns, and two dozen books. He's won numerous awards in writing, reporting, and photography, and mentored many budding writers. His most rewarding role in life was being a dad and grandpa. He took his tads and grandtads on wonderful adventures and loved each one with all his heart. His children include Molly (Loren), Mike (Leslie), and Missy (Randy). Ken's grandchildren are Taylor, Kristin, Alexander, Mikey, Chance, and Layson. In 1969, Ken asked Lynne to share life with him the day Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. They divorced five years later; but after a 19 year separation, they remarried in 1993. They are the perfect love story. Lynne took care of Ken lovingly day and night until his passing. Ken is survived by his wife, tads, and grandtads, sisters Phyllis, Judy, Peggy, Bev, Dee Dee, and Laurie, and by brother Chuck. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Ken was preceded in death by his parents and brother Jerry. The family would like to thank all those wonderful health workers and friends who have helped us. We will love and miss him. Friends are invited to a Departing Party on Saturday, April 25, at the home of Dave and Shelley Devey, 1867 West 10740 South, South Jordan, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Condolences may be sent to the family at [email protected]. We'll let dad have the final word: "Lighten Up."

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Published by The Salt Lake Tribune from Apr. 23 to Apr. 24, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Ken Rand

18 Entries

Dan Cole

August 10, 2020

An old friend texted me about the Cokeville Miracle starring Ken Rand. Kenny sent me a letter shortly before he died, and, as I expected, he was actually lighthearted about his pending death. I Kenny when I took a disc jockey job at KMER in Kemmerer, Wyoming, where he was the News Director. One of the first things he said to me was "I'm starting a theater guild. Would you want to be in a play?" Having always wanted to be in a play I said yes, but I only wanted a small part, having never participated in a play before. The next day as I was arriving to the station while he was leaving, he handed me a script and said "You're Mel" and he got into his car without saying another word. I went inside, opened the script, and saw that "Mel" was Mel Edison, the lead character of the Neil Simon play "Prisoner of 2nd Avenue". So much for a small part. I acted in one other play Ken directed with the Guild, and they were two of the most enjoyable experiences of my life. I eventually became the morning DJ and the station and shared many hours chatting on air with Ken. We also spent many hours after working hours discussing most everything. A kind and generous man, and as previously mentioned in other posts here, a very funny man. Rest in Peace, Kenny, and remember "Jesus is living in London and they don't even know it...!!!"

Dan Cole

Debbie Haddow

April 29, 2009

I feel all of the things that James Bunnell just said. Can't say it better. He was a good friend and writer/co-worker at our Helper newspaper, Balanced Rock Review, back in the late l970's. We were a staff of four. I'm very sorry to hear of his passing. He was one of a kind. Debbie Jensen Haddow

Susan Mark

April 28, 2009

Ken was so encouraging to so many writers. He was incredibly kind and thoughtful. Probably my best-used writing book ever was Ken's "The 10% Solution." I know I'm mangling his quote, but I loved how he always said that anyone can say that you can't write -- let no one say that you don't. He will be missed.

James Bunnell

April 26, 2009

I first met Ken in, I'm guessing, 1975, when he wandered into KOAL in my hometown of Price, Utah, to buy advertising (at the time, he was the PA announcer for some sort of traveling auto racing show). A month or two later, he wandered into the radio station again, and we became coworkers and good friends. When I moved to Salt Lake and he wound up in Kalispell, MT, we still kept in touch, but I'm afraid the last time we crossed paths was over 20 years ago. I was surprised and saddened to see his obituary. He was a kind man, with a gentle, quirky sense of humor. When I knew him, Ken was a pretty solitary figure; I'm glad to learn he remarried and was surrounded by a loving family.

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Stacey Frank

April 26, 2009

I loved my uncle Kenny he was one of my most favorite people. I always wanted to write and occasionally asked him to look over some of my papers for English. My most vivid memory of him was Thanks Giving. He always sat back and said: "How do I look stuffed!" Than pat his tummy. He is a humorous and light hearted person. I miss him and hope he and grandma are having a good time laughing at everything we do while they're up there!

Angie Rand

April 25, 2009

The best Unk a niece could ask for. Always had great advice and a smile. Helped me when I needed it and I didn't even have to ask. I love you very much.

MIKE NASH

April 25, 2009

YOUR WRITING IS GOING TO BE MISSED ALONG WITH ONE OF THE BEST THINGS THAT HAPPENED TO PORT CHICAGO.

Dean McLeod

April 25, 2009

Though Ken and I never met face-to-face, we talked frequently in e-mails and walked many hours down the halls of time and place commenting on what we saw and learned about his home town of Port Chicago. He was generous in sharing and fiercely loyal to the place we still call home. Thanks to his family for allowing him the time to preserve all that was good in the community.

Mike & Pam Hawthorne

April 25, 2009

Ken,
A dear and loved friend for over 50 years. You will be sorely missed.

Kevin J. Anderson

April 24, 2009

Ken was a great friend and a dedicated writer. He was always so earnest and devoted to his craft. And he was my good friend; he never missed a chance to talk with me whenever I was in the SLC area, and I know how hard he worked, constantly. He had a great sense of humor and a vivid imagination. I am going to miss him greatly.

April 24, 2009

Lynne I just want you to know that I have always stood in awe of you relationship with Ken. I'm so glad you were able to reclaim it! Sending you my love, Sue Brack

Rebecca Shelley

April 24, 2009

Goodbye Ken. You've done so much for me, and since I can't pay you back, I'll have to go ahead and pay it forward just like you taught me.

Lisa Bimhall

April 23, 2009

Ken, You will be greatly missed I miss our few years of working together at the Kearns Library. It was so nice to see you again those few times you came down to South Jordan Library.
My heart goes out to the family of Ken in this difficult time.

Kristin Davis

April 23, 2009

I loved my grandpa. I feel very upset because i didn't get to have the privilage of sharing my whole life with him. he was so nice to me and he loved me with all his heart. I will miss talking to him and loving him....

Beth

April 23, 2009

Ken, You were the only one who could of given me the GREATEST gift God gave! And that is Missy(Melissa Ruth). Who I'm sure was grateful for the time you had to be her pops. God go with you Ken, God be with you

RANDY DAVIS

April 23, 2009

A GREAT MAN ,IM PROUD TO BR IN HIS FAMILY!!

Jeff Norris

April 23, 2009

Ken,

I only knew you a short time. I loved your style, your sarcasm and you friendship. You will be missed, a not forgotten .