Ken Messer passed peacefully on August 21, 2012 surrounded by his loving family.
Ken was born to Paul and Catherina (Miller) Messer on July 5, 1942 in Bismarck, North Dakota. He lived in Underwood, Minnesota and Madras, Oregon before settling in Yakima in 1952. Ken attended local schools, St. Paul Cathedral School, Marquette High School, and Yakima Valley Community College before moving to Seattle to attend the University of Washington.
Ken had a long and admirable career in broadcasting but is best known for his years of service as Vice-President of Retlaw Broadcasting and General Manager at KIMA/KEPR. During his tenure, he became highly respected as an industry leader and was recognized by the Washington Association of Broadcasters as “Broadcaster of the Year” in 2005, by the Yakima Advertising Federation as “Broadcaster of the Year” in 2002, and was twice elected as the Washington State Tourism Advisory Committee Chairman. Shortly after his retirement from KIMA/KEPR in 2007, he accepted an offer to rebuild KYVE 47 (PBS).
Throughout his career, he lived by the principle his parents instilled in him at a young age - “Give more back to the community than you receive”, a principle that was reinforced by his dear friend, John Noel, Jr. This belief motivated Ken to become heavily involved in many community activities and organizations. He used his career in the media to educate people he knew about what is wonderful about Yakima and the Yakima Valley he knew and loved. He served many organizations including the Casey Family Program, Central Washington State Fair, Yakima Consumer Credit Counseling Service, Washington Wine Country, Washington State Tourism Advisory Board, Yakima Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau, Community Health of Central Washington, Humane Society of Central Washington, Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, Yakima County Development Association, Yakima Sundusters, and the Yakima Advertising Federation. Prior to his death, Ken remained an active board member on Sundown M Ranch, United Way of Central Washington, and Yakima Regional Medical and Cardiac Center. He was also a charter member and past president of Yakima Southwest Rotary. In May of this year, Ken was awarded the Helen N. Jewitt Community Leadership Award by United Way of Central Washington.
Despite his hard work and commitment to the community, Ken valued his family the most. His life was filled with travel with his beloved wife, Kathy Coffey, including frequent trips to Cabo San Lucas, cruises, and long weekends at their cabin at Rimrock Lake. One of his favorite family get-a- ways was the annual boys’ trip to Twin Lakes, a tradition started by his father, which spanned over 25 years. This trip included many generations from his father to his grandchildren as well as extended family including his father-in-law, son-in-laws, and stepson. Another favorite was his annual girls’ trip with his daughters, daughter-in-laws, and granddaughters to downtown Seattle. This trip, which took place each year in early December, was filled with the theatre, fine dining, shopping, giggles, the Christmas spirit and Ken's memorable laugh. Ken loved holiday traditions, filling each year with memorable parties for his children and grandchildren.
Ken attributed his successes primarily to some excellent mentoring from the Safeway and Noel Corporations, Retlaw Broadcasting, Fisher Communications, his wife and, of course, his parents.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Kathy Coffey, his brother Keith Messer, his sister Paulette Messer, his children; Debbie (Bryan) Sandlin, Lori (Terry) Liebrecht, Brian (Kristi) Messer, Michelle (Shane) Hoff-Williams and their mother and Ken’s life-long friend, Joan (McDonald) Ball, his son Matt (Heather) Messer and Matt’s mother Verna (Hull) Wisner, stepson Aaron (Marlena) Buchanan, nephews, Ryan (Genipher) Messer and Todd Ellis, as well as 18 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
Ken’s legacy of community, charity, tradition, and family has made a long and lasting impact on the lives of all who knew him.
Visitation will be offered Sunday, August 26, 2012, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Shaw & Sons Funeral Directors, 201 N. 2nd Street, Yakima. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, August 27, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul Cathedral, 15 South 12th Avenue, Yakima, with final committal following at Terrace Heights Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, Ken requested you consider a donation to the Yakima Valley Community Foundation.
******
MESSER,KENNETH
1942-07-05
2012-08-21
112
43
Ken was born to Paul and Catherina (Miller) Messer on July 5, 1942 in Bismarck, North Dakota. He lived in Underwood, Minnesota and Madras, Oregon before settling in Yakima in 1952. Ken attended local schools, St. Paul Cathedral School, Marquette High School, and Yakima Valley Community College before moving to Seattle to attend the University of Washington.
Ken had a long and admirable career in broadcasting but is best known for his years of service as Vice-President of Retlaw Broadcasting and General Manager at KIMA/KEPR. During his tenure, he became highly respected as an industry leader and was recognized by the Washington Association of Broadcasters as “Broadcaster of the Year” in 2005, by the Yakima Advertising Federation as “Broadcaster of the Year” in 2002, and was twice elected as the Washington State Tourism Advisory Committee Chairman. Shortly after his retirement from KIMA/KEPR in 2007, he accepted an offer to rebuild KYVE 47 (PBS).
Throughout his career, he lived by the principle his parents instilled in him at a young age - “Give more back to the community than you receive”, a principle that was reinforced by his dear friend, John Noel, Jr. This belief motivated Ken to become heavily involved in many community activities and organizations. He used his career in the media to educate people he knew about what is wonderful about Yakima and the Yakima Valley he knew and loved. He served many organizations including the Casey Family Program, Central Washington State Fair, Yakima Consumer Credit Counseling Service, Washington Wine Country, Washington State Tourism Advisory Board, Yakima Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau, Community Health of Central Washington, Humane Society of Central Washington, Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, Yakima County Development Association, Yakima Sundusters, and the Yakima Advertising Federation. Prior to his death, Ken remained an active board member on Sundown M Ranch, United Way of Central Washington, and Yakima Regional Medical and Cardiac Center. He was also a charter member and past president of Yakima Southwest Rotary. In May of this year, Ken was awarded the Helen N. Jewitt Community Leadership Award by United Way of Central Washington.
Despite his hard work and commitment to the community, Ken valued his family the most. His life was filled with travel with his beloved wife, Kathy Coffey, including frequent trips to Cabo San Lucas, cruises, and long weekends at their cabin at Rimrock Lake. One of his favorite family get-a- ways was the annual boys’ trip to Twin Lakes, a tradition started by his father, which spanned over 25 years. This trip included many generations from his father to his grandchildren as well as extended family including his father-in-law, son-in-laws, and stepson. Another favorite was his annual girls’ trip with his daughters, daughter-in-laws, and granddaughters to downtown Seattle. This trip, which took place each year in early December, was filled with the theatre, fine dining, shopping, giggles, the Christmas spirit and Ken's memorable laugh. Ken loved holiday traditions, filling each year with memorable parties for his children and grandchildren.
Ken attributed his successes primarily to some excellent mentoring from the Safeway and Noel Corporations, Retlaw Broadcasting, Fisher Communications, his wife and, of course, his parents.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Kathy Coffey, his brother Keith Messer, his sister Paulette Messer, his children; Debbie (Bryan) Sandlin, Lori (Terry) Liebrecht, Brian (Kristi) Messer, Michelle (Shane) Hoff-Williams and their mother and Ken’s life-long friend, Joan (McDonald) Ball, his son Matt (Heather) Messer and Matt’s mother Verna (Hull) Wisner, stepson Aaron (Marlena) Buchanan, nephews, Ryan (Genipher) Messer and Todd Ellis, as well as 18 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
Ken’s legacy of community, charity, tradition, and family has made a long and lasting impact on the lives of all who knew him.
Visitation will be offered Sunday, August 26, 2012, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Shaw & Sons Funeral Directors, 201 N. 2nd Street, Yakima. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, August 27, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul Cathedral, 15 South 12th Avenue, Yakima, with final committal following at Terrace Heights Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, Ken requested you consider a donation to the Yakima Valley Community Foundation.
******
MESSER,KENNETH
1942-07-05
2012-08-21
112
43
Ken Messer passed peacefully on August 21, 2012 surrounded by his loving family.
Ken was born to Paul and Catherina (Miller) Messer on July 5, 1942 in Bismarck, North Dakota. He lived in Underwood, Minnesota and Madras, Oregon before settling in Yakima in 1952. Ken attended local schools, St. Paul Cathedral School, Marquette High School, and Yakima Valley Community College before moving to Seattle to attend the University of Washington.
Ken had a long and admirable career in broadcasting but is best known for his years of service as Vice-President of Retlaw Broadcasting and General Manager at KIMA/KEPR. During his tenure, he became highly respected as an industry leader and was recognized by the Washington Association of Broadcasters as “Broadcaster of the Year” in 2005, by the Yakima Advertising Federation as “Broadcaster of the Year” in 2002, and was twice elected as the Washington State Tourism Advisory Committee Chairman. Shortly after his retirement from KIMA/KEPR in 2007, he accepted an offer to rebuild KYVE 47 (PBS).
Throughout his career, he lived by the principle his parents instilled in him at a young age - “Give more back to the community than you receive”, a principle that was reinforced by his dear friend, John Noel, Jr. This belief motivated Ken to become heavily involved in many community activities and organizations. He used his career in the media to educate people he knew about what is wonderful about Yakima and the Yakima Valley he knew and loved. He served many organizations including the Casey Family Program, Central Washington State Fair, Yakima Consumer Credit Counseling Service, Washington Wine Country, Washington State Tourism Advisory Board, Yakima Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau, Community Health of Central Washington, Humane Society of Central Washington, Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, Yakima County Development Association, Yakima Sundusters, and the Yakima Advertising Federation. Prior to his death, Ken remained an active board member on Sundown M Ranch, United Way of Central Washington, and Yakima Regional Medical and Cardiac Center. He was also a charter member and past president of Yakima Southwest Rotary. In May of this year, Ken was awarded the Helen N. Jewitt Community Leadership Award by United Way of Central Washington.
Despite his hard work and commitment to the community, Ken valued his family the most. His life was filled with travel with his beloved wife, Kathy Coffey, including frequent trips to Cabo San Lucas, cruises, and long weekends at their cabin at Rimrock Lake. One of his favorite family get-a- ways was the annual boys’ trip to Twin Lakes, a tradition started by his father, which spanned over 25 years. This trip included many generations from his father to his grandchildren as well as extended family including his father-in-law, son-in-laws, and stepson. Another favorite was his annual girls’ trip with his daughters, daughter-in-laws, and granddaughters to downtown Seattle. This trip, which took place each year in early December, was filled with the theatre, fine dining, shopping, giggles, the Christmas spirit and Ken's memorable laugh. Ken loved holiday traditions, filling each year with memorable parties for his children and grandchildren.
Ken attributed his successes primarily to some excellent mentoring from the Safeway and Noel Corporations, Retlaw Broadcasting, Fisher Communications, his wife and, of course, his parents.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Kathy Coffey, his brother Keith Messer, his sister Paulette Messer, his children; Debbie (Bryan) Sandlin, Lori (Terry) Liebrecht, Brian (Kristi) Messer, Michelle (Shane) Hoff-Williams and their mother and Ken’s life-long friend, Joan (McDonald) Ball, his son Matt (Heather) Messer and Matt’s mother Verna (Hull) Wisner, stepson Aaron (Marlena) Buchanan, nephews, Ryan (Genipher) Messer and Todd Ellis, as well as 18 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
Ken’s legacy of community, charity, tradition, and family has made a long and lasting impact on the lives of all who knew him.
Visitation will be offered Sunday, August 26, 2012, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Shaw & Sons Funeral Directors, 201 N. 2nd Street, Yakima. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, August 27, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul Cathedral, 15 South 12th Avenue, Yakima, with final committal following at Terrace Heights Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, Ken requested you consider a donation to the Yakima Valley Community Foundation.
******
MESSER,KENNETH
1942-07-05
2012-08-21
112
43
Ken was born to Paul and Catherina (Miller) Messer on July 5, 1942 in Bismarck, North Dakota. He lived in Underwood, Minnesota and Madras, Oregon before settling in Yakima in 1952. Ken attended local schools, St. Paul Cathedral School, Marquette High School, and Yakima Valley Community College before moving to Seattle to attend the University of Washington.
Ken had a long and admirable career in broadcasting but is best known for his years of service as Vice-President of Retlaw Broadcasting and General Manager at KIMA/KEPR. During his tenure, he became highly respected as an industry leader and was recognized by the Washington Association of Broadcasters as “Broadcaster of the Year” in 2005, by the Yakima Advertising Federation as “Broadcaster of the Year” in 2002, and was twice elected as the Washington State Tourism Advisory Committee Chairman. Shortly after his retirement from KIMA/KEPR in 2007, he accepted an offer to rebuild KYVE 47 (PBS).
Throughout his career, he lived by the principle his parents instilled in him at a young age - “Give more back to the community than you receive”, a principle that was reinforced by his dear friend, John Noel, Jr. This belief motivated Ken to become heavily involved in many community activities and organizations. He used his career in the media to educate people he knew about what is wonderful about Yakima and the Yakima Valley he knew and loved. He served many organizations including the Casey Family Program, Central Washington State Fair, Yakima Consumer Credit Counseling Service, Washington Wine Country, Washington State Tourism Advisory Board, Yakima Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau, Community Health of Central Washington, Humane Society of Central Washington, Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, Yakima County Development Association, Yakima Sundusters, and the Yakima Advertising Federation. Prior to his death, Ken remained an active board member on Sundown M Ranch, United Way of Central Washington, and Yakima Regional Medical and Cardiac Center. He was also a charter member and past president of Yakima Southwest Rotary. In May of this year, Ken was awarded the Helen N. Jewitt Community Leadership Award by United Way of Central Washington.
Despite his hard work and commitment to the community, Ken valued his family the most. His life was filled with travel with his beloved wife, Kathy Coffey, including frequent trips to Cabo San Lucas, cruises, and long weekends at their cabin at Rimrock Lake. One of his favorite family get-a- ways was the annual boys’ trip to Twin Lakes, a tradition started by his father, which spanned over 25 years. This trip included many generations from his father to his grandchildren as well as extended family including his father-in-law, son-in-laws, and stepson. Another favorite was his annual girls’ trip with his daughters, daughter-in-laws, and granddaughters to downtown Seattle. This trip, which took place each year in early December, was filled with the theatre, fine dining, shopping, giggles, the Christmas spirit and Ken's memorable laugh. Ken loved holiday traditions, filling each year with memorable parties for his children and grandchildren.
Ken attributed his successes primarily to some excellent mentoring from the Safeway and Noel Corporations, Retlaw Broadcasting, Fisher Communications, his wife and, of course, his parents.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Kathy Coffey, his brother Keith Messer, his sister Paulette Messer, his children; Debbie (Bryan) Sandlin, Lori (Terry) Liebrecht, Brian (Kristi) Messer, Michelle (Shane) Hoff-Williams and their mother and Ken’s life-long friend, Joan (McDonald) Ball, his son Matt (Heather) Messer and Matt’s mother Verna (Hull) Wisner, stepson Aaron (Marlena) Buchanan, nephews, Ryan (Genipher) Messer and Todd Ellis, as well as 18 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
Ken’s legacy of community, charity, tradition, and family has made a long and lasting impact on the lives of all who knew him.
Visitation will be offered Sunday, August 26, 2012, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Shaw & Sons Funeral Directors, 201 N. 2nd Street, Yakima. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, August 27, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul Cathedral, 15 South 12th Avenue, Yakima, with final committal following at Terrace Heights Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, Ken requested you consider a donation to the Yakima Valley Community Foundation.
******
MESSER,KENNETH
1942-07-05
2012-08-21
112
43
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