Kenneth Wayne Pickel, 54, passed away July 15, 2014, surrounded by family at home after a courageous battle with cancer. He was a much-loved father, grandfather, husband, son, brother and friend.
Ken was born on August 27, 1959, in Prosser, WA to Jim and Shirley Pickel. His family moved to California when Ken was a young boy, where he was raised and graduated high school in 1977 from Tulare Union High. Ken always had a passion for cars and motorcycles, and started working on cars in high school. After high school, he pursued that passion and excelled in the automotive industry. He was known for miles around for being the best transmission rebuilder there was, eventually owning his own transmission repair shop in Yakima, WA. He was well-respected for being an honest and fair businessman.
He met the love of his life, Debi, in Tulare in 1978, and they were married on March 1, 1980. In 1981, Ken and Debi moved to the Northwest where they raised their three children, Leslie, Kendra and Derick. He loved spending time with his wife and kids, and eventually his six grandchildren. His grandchildren were his pride and joy and they loved their “Papa” to the moon and back. Ken was the epitome of what every father and grandfather should be. He was kind, supportive, understanding, fair, patient, and above all else, he loved his family more than anything in the world. Ken will always live on in his family by the values he instilled, and the examples he set.
Ken is survived by his wife of 34 years, Debi, three children, Leslie (Sergio), Kendra (Dave), and Derick (Cheyenne), six grandchildren, Ashlyn, Alicia, Ana, Colton, Sydney and Ava, his mother, Shirley, and three brothers, Doug, Craig and Mike. Words can’t describe how much Ken will be missed, but his family takes comfort in knowing he’s in heaven with his dad and uncles, listening to music, cracking jokes, and pulling pranks in true Ken Pickel fashion.
A private family service was held at Sandy Ridge Cemetery in Sandy, OR on Friday, July 18, and a public celebration of life took place on Saturday, July, 19.