Kenneth Neil Blakely

Kenneth Neil "Ken" Blakely of Bend, Oregon, passed away peacefully September 24, 2018, of natural causes, surrounded by his family. He was 90. A private gathering of family and Friends at the Graveside will take place on November 2, 2018. Ken was born October 7, 1927 in Bemidji, Minnesota, to parents Lawrence and Evelyn (Larkin) Blakely. As a young child, Ken moved from Minnesota with his family to Bend, Oregon. He spent his early years with his family living in various logging camps throughout Central Oregon, and he graduated from Bend Senior High in 1945. He joined the army at the age of 19 during the end of the WWII, and was stationed in Iceland for two years. Ken returned to Bend, after completing his military service where he received an honorable discharge. He worked at Brooks-Scanlon Lumber Company maintaining railroad equipment and later driving logging trucks. In the late 1960s, he changed careers and worked in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, retiring in 1989 at the age of 62. Ken married Virginia Ferguson in 1956 and they lived together in Bend, Oregon until her death in 2003. Together they raised three children, Gina Blakely, Thomas Blakely, and James Blakely, and two grandchildren, Jennifer Vandehey and Megan Vandehey. Ken enjoyed landscaping activities, cutting firewood, annual camping trips with his siblings and their families, and weekend trips to a cabin outside of Bend. He enjoyed feeding the neighborhood birds and all things "trains." His family and friends will always remember him as easy going, friendly, and always willing to help out when needed. Kenneth Blakely is survived by his current wife, Mattie Blakely, of Bend, OR; his three children; his older brother, Robert Blakely of Denver, CO; and his younger sisters, Carolyn Nelson of Bend, OR; and Patricia Logue of Lacey, WA. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Virginia Blakely and his younger sister, Shirley Moty Memorial contributions in Kens memory can be made to Partners in Care Hospice, 2075 NE Wyatt Court, Bend, OR 97701. www.partnersbend,org Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home is honored to serve the family - (541) 382-2471. Funeral Home: Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home 105 NW Irving Ave Bend, OR US 97701

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Kenneth Neil Blakely

October 7, 1927 - September 24, 2018