Kenneth E. Cates

Although I never had he honor of meeting you, I love everything I know about you and I love your wife, Lark.

I was just thinking about my old friend and couldn’t believe he had passed. I can’t evenremember when we connected but it was because of our curiosity of the triathlon. Like Lark there was a big age difference but the there was just something about him that I knew was special. Of all the miles we ran,swam and biked my lasting memory was Ken on the podium at Ironman 83 accepting his award. He was a true warrior and friend. Love always Brian Bullas

Thanks, Ken, for being a friend when I was one going through a difficult time in high school. You and Lark would listen to my Moody Blues records and I would listen to your Jazz records. Good memories at you place on Cable St. in OB.

Kind Regards,
Don Jordan
Monte Vista H.S. Class of 1979.

My wife and I were extremely moved by the wonderful tribute published by Lark for Ken. We shared the tribute with many friends who were also moved to joy and tears. We dont know Ken and Lark, but wish we had.

Randy & Candice Venier
Encinitas, CA

Hi Lark- This is Lisa McGowan (Peter), Hal Sachs's daughter. We met at my dads 75th birthday party in Las Vegas. Dad cherished his long time friendship with Kenny, and thought the world of you. When dad passed away, I was given the 2 nose statues that you made for him. Pontiac and Zorba the Beak sit proudly on a shelf. We all should be so lucky as to have such a long time friendship as Dad and Kenny had.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

What a beautiful, original, and heartfelt obituary written by Lark Cates about her beloved husband Ken. When you wrote, My husband, Ken Cates... my heart skipped a beat. I knew you were stepping out of the box and reaching out to me, the reader, to bring me in to your joy of loving such a special and gentle man as well as your sorrow of losing him. I will hold my husband a little bit closer tonight. Thank you!

Easter time, 1964, a family vacation at a deserted beach miles south of San Felipe. Talks into the wee hours, perhaps helped along with a bit of tequila. He liked Goldwater, I really didn't. Political differences didn't affect friendships in those days. Racing each other down Baja back country trails, Ken in his dune buggy, me on my motorcycle. Foolish, but we survived. Horsing around at my house, raising hell and spraying each other with garden hoses, his VW bus smelling strongly of...

To Ken's family, especially Brian who we have known since 1970 when we moved to Del Mar and needed help in our yard!! Brian, we met you and your Dad at one of the many triathlons in San Diego many years ago. What an inspiration he has been for you, all his family...and so many others. Definitely a life lived well.
cheers,
Steve & Al Tarkington

Travel safely and joyfully-aloha