Kenneth A Askelson 1934 - 2007

ASKELSON, KILLINGSWORTH

Posted By: Linda H Meyers (email)
Date: 2/26/2015 at 18:01:36

Kenneth Alfred Askelson

Obituary

Kenneth Alfred Askelson, of Vancouver, WA, passed away at his home, Sunday, September 30, 2007. He was 73 years old. Born in Ames, IA on June 1, 1934, to Orlin and Bernice Askelson, Ken grew up in Gilbert, IA. He attended Gilbert Community School, graduated from high school in 1952, and served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955. He moved to Riverside, CA where he met and married on Aug. 7, 1964, Barbara Ann Killingsworth. Over the years, they also lived in Huntington Beach and Irvine, CA, before moving to Vancouver, WA in 1981. Ken's career was in the automotive industry. He was employed by American Motor Corporation as a Performance Manager responsible for AMC racing teams. He was hired in 1971 by Toyota Motor Corporation as Regional Service and Parts Manager. After 10 years with Toyota in CA, Ken and his family moved to the Pacific Northwest where he continued working for Toyota until his retirement in 1992. Ken's interests included collecting and restoring antique juke boxes, slot machines, gumball machines and other American memorabilia, as well as restoring his 1955 Ford Thunderbird and 1965 Ford Mustang Fastback. Ken found great pleasure in fishing and hunting in the Pacific Northwest, where he made friendships over fishing stories and campfire laughter. Ken is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Kenneth and Sheila Askelson; grandson, Bryce Askelson; and wife of 33 years, Barbara Askelson of Vancouver, WA; daughter and son-in-law, Denise and Michael Higgins of Portland, OR; and brother, Curtis Askelson of Old Lyme, CT. A memorial service will be held at 3pm, Monday, October 8, 2007, in Vancouver, WA, at Evergreen Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to the . .
Published in The Columbian on Oct. 6, 2007