Kenneth Alfonso Gerner

1915 - 2008

Kenneth died Friday, Dec. 5, 2008, from complications of a stroke suffered in November, 2008.

His life was extraordinary. He was born to Warren and Leila Gerner January 12, 1915, in a tent in Drumright, Okla. The family of five moved to Pennsylvania in 1921. When Ken was 8, in 1923, the family moved into a log cabin in Ohio very close to the Pennsylvania border. 1924 found the family again on the move to a farm in Petersburg not far from their log cabin.  Ken's chores did not keep him from being promoted past the fifth into the sixth grade.

Ken decided he wanted to play the clarinet and his father paid $100 for a new nickel clarinet. He had to earn money for lessons. After only 12 lessons he was accepted into the Bessemer Town Band. He also played in the High School Orchestra. Ken was so talented that he could play whatever tune he heard. This was the beginning of a lifetime association with music.

To help with family expenses Kenneth had to quit school in 11th grade and move in with his uncle in Canton Ohio. He got a job working in The Sheet and Tube pulling hot steel sheets from the forge out to the cooling racks.

Ken was very handsome and popular, he caught the eye of his future wife Lydia Ann Troyer in 1934. Lydia was an evangelist for the Free Methodist Church and Kenneth was in the congregation. They married in 1935.   

His carpentry career began Sept. 15,1939 in Woodworth, Ohio. Partnering with John Zelinka he remembers selling the second house he designed and they built for $2,700. It had five rooms, one bath and an attached garage.

He was also a lay pastor in New Middletown and Sharline Ohio from 1940 to 1960. He was a member of the churches mixed quartet and a song leader.

Ken and Lydia moved to Ventura, Calif., in 1960. From 1960 to 1997 he built 126 houses, 50 remodels, three churches, three banks, three elementary schools, one high school, two city halls, one community center and the original Esplanade Mall. Ken traveled to Brazil, Haiti, Hawaii and Ohio building churches and pastor's homes for many Christian organizations. He was joined by Lydia on many of these projects.

He is survived by his sister, Betty Jean Whittley, of Depew, Okla.; son, Barry Gerner; daughter, Karen Collins; and grandson, Kirk Cofield.

A memorial service will held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008, at The First United Methodist Church, 133 North Mill Street, Santa Paula, CA 93060; 805-525-2214. In lieu of flowers please send a donation to the church.