Kenneth Howard Matheson Jr.
Kenneth Howard Matheson Jr.
1932 – 2023
A Disciple of Jesus Christ
Kenneth Howard Matheson, Jr., 90, of Alpine, Utah, passed away on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 of natural causes.
Ken was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on June 13, 1932, to Virginia Cooper and Kenneth Howard Matheson, Sr. He was the oldest of five children.
He attended South High School, graduating in 1949. He met Marlene Graham at Mutual in the Stratford Ward. Their first date was to a scout banquet where they were introduced as Mr. and Mrs. Matheson. He went home that night and told his parents he thought he had met his future wife. They dated for 9 months and were married on September 11, 1953, in the Salt Lake Temple. Ken’s military service included a variety of training in Artillery and Infantry Schools as well as Officer Candidate School at Fort Riley, Kansas. He then requested active duty serving two years as Staff Sargent in California, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia and Karlsruhe Germany.
Ken attended University of Utah in general education and then graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics with a minor in business administration in 1958. He later earned his Master’s degree in Regional Resources Planning from the University of Wisconsin in 1966. He worked for the Bureau of Land Management for many years before quitting his job to partner with his wife and work full-time operating Kencraft, Inc., small confection manufacturing company they had started several years before. They worked together to grow that business into an international high-end candy and gift company.
Ken was a hard worker, and craftsman who enjoyed working with his hands. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed camping, fishing, and hunting. He enjoyed shooting and was a gun collector. He was generous with his time and means in helping others.
Ken was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many callings including Sunday School, Young Men, Scouting, High Priests Group Leader, Ward Executive Secretary, Bishopric counselor, Bishop, MTC Branch President and counselor and Full-time missionary serving a CES mission with his wife in Washington, DC. Ken was an example to all as a disciple of Jesus Christ. He and Marlene raised their 8 children in Salt Lake City, Logan and Richfield, Utah; Wisconsin, Colorado; Highland and Alpine, and Santa Clara, Utah.
Ken is survived by his children: Terrie Abbott, Cindy (Marvin) Pack, Patti (Will) Jones, Sandy (Michael) Barrus, Julie (Stan) Howell, Mark (Kim), Michael (Shannon), Bryan (Melinda) Matheson and foster son Victor (Cindy) Begay as well as 36 grandchildren and 70 great grandchildren. Siblings, Barbara (H. David Burton), Maurine Davies and Doug (Vickie) Matheson. Ken was preceded in death by his wife, Marlene, brother and sister-in-law, Robert C. and Carol Matheson, and brother-in-law, Glen Davies.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 3, 2023 at 11:00 am in the Alpine North Stake Center Chapel, located at 1125 East Alpine Boulevard, Alpine, Utah. Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Thursday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Warenski Funeral Home, 1776 North 900 East, American Fork, Utah and also at an additional viewing on Friday morning from 9:30-10:30 am prior to services at the church. Interment will follow at the Alpine City Cemetery.
A special thanks to the staff at River Meadows Senior Living Center and Valeo Home Health & Hospice for the compassionate care they rendered to both of Ken and Marlene.