Kenneth Karas

Kenneth Charles Karas of Los Olivos, California passed away peacefully at home on February 19, 2026. Ken was born in New York City on August 21, 1953, to Doris and Gerald Karas but spent most of his early years in Pound Ridge, a small village in upstate New York.

Drawn to the west coast, Ken earned his MBA in finance from the University of Southern California after attending a small school in Pasadena, Ambassador College. This was where he met his sweetheart of 48 years, Katie, the only woman he deemed "game" enough to follow his led in the many passions he pursued. They married on Christmas Day.

After a short stint in international banking at Security Pacific Bank, Ken was recruited to an early pioneer in the wind power industry, Zond Energy Systems as CFO. Rising to CEO, he was instrumental in addressing climate change when the world was just awakening to the issues of a warming earth.

Ken was a devoted family man as well as an avid aviator, horseman, skier, hiker, rock climber and river rafter. He is survived by his wife, Katie; his children; Kristoffer, Rob and Bryan, his grandchildren; Harper, Mason, Tae and Kai; brother, Keith; and sister, Kris. Ken led the way for many and will stay in our hearts and minds always.