Kenneth R. "Kenny" Andrews

KENNETH R. ANDREWS
June 2, 1937 ~ September 21, 2015

Kenneth R. Andrews, former co-owner of Vancouver Funeral Chapel, passed away Sept. 21, 2015, at PeaceHealth SW Medical Center. He was born June 2, 1937 to Ray and Inez Andrews. Kenny grew up in the Arnada neighborhood where he made many life-long friends. As a teenager, he attended Vancouver High School and graduated from Hudson's Bay High School in 1956. He discovered one of his passions in high school, playing football. At 5'11 and 210 lbs., Kenny was a formidable "center" and earned the title Best Athlete. It was there that he also met the greatest love of his life, Kay. He loved to tell the story about knowing he was going to marry Kay on their first date.
After graduation, he attended Washington State University and was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity. Three years into school in Pullman, he was called to serve his country in the Air Force. At the end of his service, he moved to San Francisco to attend the San Francisco School of Mortuary Science and complete his degree.
For many years, Ken worked at Hamilton Funeral Home, which had been owned by his father. On April 27, 1963, he married Kay and they lived as newlyweds in an upstairs apartment in the funeral home. In 1966, Ken was hired at Vancouver Funeral Chapel, becoming a partner in the business with Ken Ellertson in 1977. They eventually sold the business, but stayed on as part-time employees in order to help out when families asked for them. As Funeral Director, Kenny made concern for the well-being of the families, and respect and care for those loved ones who had passed on, his top priorities.
Each and every person he met with was important to him and he always took the time to let families know he understood how they felt and was there to help in any way he could.
Kenny and Kay welcomed their first son, John, in 1967, and their second son, Mark, in 1972. He loved his boys and was an enthusiastic supporter at all of their childhood events. Kenny never missed a baseball or a football game and went on to run the score board at Fort Vancouver High School and move the yard markers at all the football games as well. He was a constant in the boys' lives and took many fun trips with them all over the world. When his sons married, he welcomed their wives with open arms and heart.
Over the years, Kenny was involved in many organizations, such as the Elks, Gyro International, Vancouver Jaycees, St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Washington State Funeral Directors Association, the State Examining Board with the Dept. of Licensing, and he served as the co-president of the Columbia Little League. Kenny was a Century member of Royal Oaks Country Club where he loved to play golf and stay in touch with his many friends.
Kenny had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh. His soft-spoken manner and twinkling blue eyes were matched by a sharp wit and keen powers of observation, which naturally drew people to him and made him someone they were glad to know.
Kenny's skill at reading people contributed to his success in both the funeral business and everyday life. To say that Kenny was kind would be an undeniable understatement to all who interacted with him. The continuous generosity, warmth, and wisdom he radiated shed light on what an incredible husband, father, grandfather, and friend he was. His life was one of hard work, adventure, perseverance, and love. His absence creates a hole in our lives we know will never be filled, but we are grateful for the time we shared.
Kenny is survived by his loving wife, Kay; son, John and his wife, Kristina; son, Mark and his wife, Katie; and grandchildren, Drew and Erik.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Inez; and his sister, Carolyn McCord.
A memorial service for Ken will be held 11:00 a.m., Sat., Oct. 3rd at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 426 E. 4th Plain Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98663.
Memorial donations may be made to: St. Luke's Episcopal Church or the charity of your choice.
Please share memories at www.VancouverFuneralChapel.net and www.columbian.com/obits.