Kenneth Oakland "Ken" Gamon

Kenneth Oakland Gamon was born January 9th, 1939 to Ralph and Blanche (Probert) Gamon in Spokane, WA. Raised in the Glenrose area, he got his knack for fixing things from his father and a love of animals from his mother. Active in FFA, he graduated early from Central Valley High School and Eastern Washington State College.

Ken met the love of his life, Suzanne Carol Curtis, on a blind date. He came highly recommended as a great dancer. They were married in August, 1959 and Ken declined medical school to pursue a doctorate in Mathematics at Oregon State University. While in Corvallis, they developed several life-long friends and an interest in collecting clocks, coins and antiques.

In 1965, Ken accepted a faculty position at Central Washington State College and the family moved to Ellensburg where Ken taught for 37 years. He enjoyed working with fellow professors and encouraging students. He was instrumental in starting a Master's program in Mathematics and putting together teams for the national Putnam exam. Ken was Chair of Central's Faculty Senate and helped work toward establishing a union for faculty.

Ken was a trustee for Ellensburg First United Methodist Church and served at Lazy F Camp and in Lions Club. He loved investing, playing cards, bowling, fishing and building projects, including a major home addition and a cabin on Lake Pend Oreille. Ken loved animals and always had a multitude of pets including cows, horses, chickens, ducks, pigs, cats and dogs.

Ken is survived by his wife of 66 years (Sue), three siblings (Betty Jo, Ralph and Bonnie), four children (Meg, Alyssa, Paul, and Katie), nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Ken was a beloved husband, father, brother and grandfather and we will greatly miss him. Visit the Brookside Funeral Home website for details about the upcoming Celebration of Life. Memorial donations can be made to Hospice or Parkinson's Research.