~ IN MEMORY ~
Navy veteran, WA/DL Capt. Kenneth Jay Gunderson
April 30, 1952 ~ February 10, 2020
Notification with the passing of retired Western/Delta pilot
Captain Kenneth Jay Gunderson, age 67. Captain
Gunderson first joined Western Airlines 01-12-1987 and retired with Delta Air
Lines, based SLC. He is survived by his
wife Mary, their children and grandchildren plus many other friends and family
members.
To view the obituary online and share memories please visit
the funeral home site at
Visitation and services for Captain Gunderson are planned
for Saturday, February 15th at the LDS Chapel located at 2130 E.
10000 S. in Sandy, Utah.
For those wishing to send a personal note, whitepages lists
the family residence address as
10059 S Altavilla Drive,
Sandy UT 84092-4503.
Thank you,
~ Carol for the PCN
Obituary………………
Kenneth Jay Gunderson, 67, peacefully passed
away at home on February 10th, 2020 in Sandy, UT. Ken was born April 30, 1952
to Kearn and Eleanor Oelke in Burbank, CA. After his father’s passing he was
adopted by Lloyd Gunderson and raised by Lloyd and Eleanor in Northridge, CA.
Ken graduated from Northridge High School and attended the University of Utah,
where he graduated with a B.S. in Political Science in 1974. In college Ken was
in the Navy ROTC and was an inaugural member of the University of Utah lacrosse
team. After graduation, Ken was commissioned in the United States Navy and
became a Naval Aviator. In 1976, Ken married the love of his life, Mary Harris,
in the Salt Lake Temple. Ken served for 23 years as an aviator in the United
States Navy, flying off aircraft carriers and serving in Operation Desert
Storm. From 1993 to 1995 he served as the commanding officer of VR-57. He
retired from the Navy as a Captain. Ken also had a successful 30-year career as
a pilot for Delta Airlines. He retired from Delta as a Captain after serving as
an assistant chief pilot, line check airman, flight instructor, and a member of
the Delta Chairman’s Club.
Ken and Mary raised five sons and he was an exemplary
husband, father, and grandfather, and is a hero to his family. He and Mary had
many adventures together traveling the world and raising their boys. Ken spent
countless hours with his sons riding bicycles, shooting guns, and goofing
around. Beyond his family, Ken positively influenced hundreds of young men as a
lacrosse coach at Jordan High School and Utah Valley University. As a scouter
with the Boy Scouts of America he helped dozens of young men achieve their
Eagle rank. He loved spending time in his garden, caring for his large
vegetable patch, orchard, chickens, and honeybees. Ken’s persona was larger
than life itself. He loved playful pranks and had an independent spirit. In all
of his roles- as a father, a pilot, a coach, a church leader, or as a neighbor
he sought to be a mentor and friend first. All aspects of Ken’s life shared a
common thread, that of service to family, country, church and community.
Ken is survived by his wife Mary, his sons: Jansen (Anna),
Seth (Eugena), Kellen (Rachel), Jarom (Rebecca), & Corey (Karin), and
twelve grandchildren: Fisher, Roen, Aaron, Saraya, Clara, Cambria, Elodie,
Noah, Soren, Niels, Abigail, & Weston; his brothers Robert Gunderson (Tina)
and Randall Gunderson (Garry), and sister Denise Ridenour (Steve). Ken was
preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Eleanor Gunderson.
There will be a public viewing for Ken at the LDS Chapel at
2130 E. 10000 S. Sandy, UT 84092 on Saturday, February 15th from 9:00-11:00 AM.
Following the viewing there will be a funeral service in the same location from
11:30 AM-12:30 PM.
Our deepest sympathies to Mary and family. We've lost a good man. Rest in peace, Ken.
ReplyDeleteLarry and Connie Carello