Kenneth Michael Ofiara

Kenneth “Ken” Ofiara, born on April 27, 1953, in Detroit, Michigan, passed away on November 7, 2025, at the age of 72.

He was preceded in death by his father, Peter M. Ofiara (d. January 21, 2014). He is survived by his mother, Dorothy A. Ofiara, who resides at American House Hampton Place in Rochester Hills. Born on September 18, 1932, Dorothy is 93 years old.

Ken is also survived by his loving siblings: Janice M. (Juan) Gutierrez of Tucson, Arizona; Denise (John) Mandrick of Clinton Township, Michigan; and Gary (Gwen) Ofiara of West Bloomfield, Michigan. He was a proud uncle to many, including John (Gina), Kristy, and a great-uncle to John, Malachi, Joey, Jude, Gianna, and Lily, all of Macomb County. He was also uncle to Elena, Matthew, and Jenna, and had extended family in Tucson, Arizona, northern Michigan, and Warren. Ken cherished his cousins Jimmy Sagan, Carol (Paul) Wilken, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins — including Ray (Silvia), Eugene (Kathy), Barb (Chuck), Marilyn (Tom), and Len (Dawn) — along with all of their children, even if distance made visiting difficult.

Ken was educated at Mother of Our Savior School and St. Mary’s of Redford in Detroit before graduating from Warren Mott High School in 1971. He continued his education at Macomb Community College and Oakland University, earning a place on the Dean’s List.

A hardworking man from a young age, Ken held many jobs throughout his life, including paperboy, stock boy, and eventually working on the assembly line at Ford Motor Company.

Ken lived in several Michigan communities — Grass Lake, Jackson, and Stockbridge — and spent his final years at The Villa at City Center in Warren. He was well loved by both staff and residents for his warm heart, sense of humor, and easy laughter.

He was a lifelong fan of rock and roll, especially Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band, and he enjoyed following sports and reading the comics and sports sections every Sunday. As a child, he rode his bike for miles around his Detroit neighborhood and played little league baseball. One fond memory was clipping baseball cards to his bike spokes — cards that would be considered valuable today — just to enjoy the sound as he sped along the sidewalks.

Ken will be dearly missed for his gentle spirit and kind soul. He now joins his father, grandparents, uncles, many friends, and other loved ones in Heaven. His soulmate, Sandra Hightower, held a special place in his life, and they cherished their time together in Jackson, Michigan.

Rest in peace, beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend. Your family finds comfort knowing you are at peace, and your mother looks forward to the day God calls her home to join you once again.

Please feel free to share memories, thoughts, and prayers here on Kenneth's online guestbook.