Kenneth Chester Bryden Jr.

Kenneth Chester Bryden Jr.

Feb. 12, 1933 - June 4, 2022

Kenneth Chester Bryden Jr., age 89, passed away on June 4, 2022 in Lacey, Washington. He was born to Kenneth and Daisy Bryden on February 12, 1933 in Rockford, IL.

Ken married Barbara Ann Major in 1954. A member of the Naval Reserve, he was part of the Navy Band and played trumpet until he was drafted into the Navy. In 1959 he was recruited by Admiral Rickover to be part of the "Nuclear Navy" and selected to be one of the commissioning crew members - and plank owners - of the U.S.S. Enterprise, the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. He was eventually stationed at the nuclear testing site in Idaho Falls, ID. After twenty years of service, Ken retired from the military and moved his family to Richland, WA, where he served as an project manager for WPPSS. In 1980 he moved to Olympia, WA, to work at WPPSS in Satsop, WA. After many years of moves, Ken and Barbara settled in Olympia and spent 42 years in the same house.

Ken loved music, it was his passion. He sang in many choirs and played a variety of instruments, notably guitar and piano. An active person, Ken enjoyed skiing and running. He took up running later in life, but managed to compete in dozens of marathons and half-marathons. He was a fixture at The Valley Athletic Club where he enjoyed their coffee, conversation with friends and even working out. An old school fix-it-guy, Ken could repair nearly anything with some ingenuity and black electrical tape. Ken also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and was game for bike rides, music lessons, hikes or joining them in a road race.

Ken is preceded in death by his parents, and son John Alfred Bryden. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Barbara Bryden; his sister, Carol Bryden Moore of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; his daughter, Teri Peak (Brad) of Punta Gorda, FL; sons: Kenneth Mark Bryden (Kris) of Ames, IA, and Michael Joseph Bryden of Kennewick, WA; daughters: Elizabeth Ann Coleman of Tumwater, WA, and Rebecca Ann Stapp (Greg) of Olympia, WA; 12 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held July 17, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at the Illini Cemetery in Warrensburg, IL.

A remembrance and celebration of life will be held at the home of his daughter, Elizabeth, August 13, 2022, at 2:00 p.m.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family in care of Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes at www.brintlingerandearl.com.