Kenneth Steven Gaines

January 14, 1945 - November 2, 2023 After spending much of 2023 in a ferocious battle against unrelenting cancer, Kenneth Steven Gaines succumbed to the disease on November 2, 2023, at home surrounded by his wife, Pamela, and us, his four children - Wendy Smith, Amy Gaines, Evan Gaines, and Daniel Gaines. Kenneth was a man of gusto who lived by the mantra "if a little is good, a lot must be better." And excess was his game - Kenneth dragged a willing Pamela all over the world many times over, taking over 150 "trips of a lifetime" to glitzy cities and sleepy villages in Europe (France was his favorite), Asia, Africa, India, and every continent, including Antarctica! He traveled to the world's most exciting cities and the ones that nobody thinks (or really wants) to visit. His final dying sentiments may well have been a combination of disappointment - that the Europe trip he planned for November would have to be canceled - and relief - that his cherished frequent flyer miles would be refunded without penalty.
Kenneth was an encyclopedia of travel knowledge, a man who might have visited more Relais & Chateaux properties and Michelin starred restaurants than any other human on the planet. Kenneth loved his UCLA Bruins; nothing made him happier than a day at the Rose Bowl, Pauley Pavilion, or on the couch at home, watching his team decimate any PAC-10 rival (but mostly USC), or meandering through the forums on BruinReportOnline.
Kenneth loved his work. A lawyer and legal scholar since 1971, he was highly respected and admired by his clients and colleagues for his sharp intellect, mastery of multiple areas of the law, morals and ethics, and kindness and charm. Kenneth's fantasy of a law firm called Gaines, Gaines, Gaines, Gaines & Gaines was never fulfilled, but he was fortunate enough to have a family business - Pamela and Wendy both administered his law practice and Daniel and Evan both practiced law beside him until his retirement.
But most of all, Kenneth was a family man who cherished his relationships with his wife, parents, children and grandchildren. He spent 42 years married to the love of his life, Pamela, with whom he shared all the pleasures of a privileged existence and who quickly shifted gears to become his nurse when times got tough at the end. He lovingly raised four children who have all inherited his passions and intellect, and he was blessed with eight grandchildren who adored "Grandpa Kenny." 
The world has lost an amazing person, but his legacy lives on in his grandchildren: Sophie Shore, Madeline Gaines, Zoey Gaines, Oliver Gaines, Amelia Gaines, Kash Gaines, Duncan Smith, and Griffin Smith.