KENNETH BRUCE MARCUS

Kenneth Bruce Marcus was born on August 1, 1940 at Rowley General Hospital in Mount Vernon, Washington. He was so surprised he didn't speak for a year and a half. He was born into a family of Tarheels, who brought their beans and biscuits from Hazel Creek, North Carolina.

Ken spent most of his childhood in Avon, where, although he wasn't the youngest in the family, he was the baby.

After graduation from Mount Vernon High School Ken spent some time in pursuit of a pretty young girl named Sue who lived at a Boy Scout Camp. She, being very smart said "Yes" when the question was asked. Hence, started a saga the likes of which have yet to be told. They enjoyed many adventures, reveled in family and friends, and laughed their way through 50 years of marriage.

There ensued from this pairing two daughters, Nancy and Pegger, who were dragged along on any and all adventures, proving that children thrive when exposed to life. Ken and family have enjoyed many great outdoor adventures, most notably paddling the 72 mile Bowron Lakes canoe circuit numerous times. The second trip to Bowron, Peg was four years old and the last time, Ken was old enough to know better. Between 1969 and 2005, Ken and Sue made 1 1 trips to Bowron, often dragging along friends and acquaintances.

Ken was a car nut. He and his brood spent many wonderful hours in and around the street rods that he built. From his love of cars and life, came many lasting friendships. Ken has never met a stranger and had a great memory for faces, names, not so much. Ken has been building cars for years and is known as the "Kengineer" for his unique ideas. He was partial to '32 Fords, having built a beautiful '32 Ford tudor sedan and a classic '32 Ford Cabriolet. He was currently at work on a '32 Ford pick-up for the light of his life, Suzie. Ken also restored a 1955 Nash Metropolitan, in classic coral and white with daughter Peg. He was always available to help out any one with their restoration project.

Ken didn't just restore his '32 Fords, he and Sue drove them. They drove them almost weekly to street rod events all over the Northwest. Tens, if not hundreds of thousands, of miles from Alberta to southern California, from Westport to Billings, usually pulling their vintage Apache tent trailer, for Ken and Sue loved to camp with their friends. And what friends! A loosely formed group of forty or more, from all over Washington who refer to themselves as "Buttnuggets" and now cover three generations, from toddlers to geezers. All in old cars with travel trailers or tents, driving together, camping together, dining as a group and generally having a blast. Never a dull moment!

Ken was a dear friend to all he met, and will be missed by all, but especially his family. He is survived by wife, Sue; daughters, Nancy (Scott) Loy, Peggy (Alice) Marcus; grandchildren, Madelyn and Bailey Loy, Birch and Ryland Marcus; sisters, Louise Newman and Doris (Jim) Vannice; as well as lots of extended family.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, April 7, 2012, 1:00pm at Hawthorne Funeral Home, 1825 E. College Way, Mount Vernon, WA.

Please share your thoughts of ken and sign the online guest register at www.hawthornefh.com

Arrangements are under the care of Hawthorne funeral Home, Mount Vernon.