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Kenneth Thoroughman

June 21, 2016
Kalamazoo, MI

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31 Dec 1944 (New Years Eve Day!) D: 21 June 2016 Ken died unexpectedly of a heart attack on Tuesday, 21 June 2016 while in Ludington, Michigan. He was 71. Preceding him in death were his grandparents Andrew and Barrie Beam, from whom Ken learned so much. Also preceding Ken in death were his parents John Theodore Thoroughman and Virginia (Beam, Thoroughman) Johnson, nephew Justin Smith, and father-in-law and mother-in-law Ralph and Hattie Van Zee. Surviving is his wife of 37 years, Esther. She knows Ken is the best thing that ever happened to her and she is thankful for the years together. Also surviving are Ken's son Kurt (Elizabeth) who Ken loved so much and was proud of, two granddaughters Phoebe and Lydia, two sisters Ann (Kim) Smith and Bettie Burgess, nieces Sarah Burgess and Christie Burgess, sisters-in-law Jane (Dave) Bills, and Marilyn (Dan) Wheeler, step-nephews Steve Bills and Mike (Beth) Bills with step-grandnephew David Ryan Bills. Also surviving are his airplane-flying friends, his Ludington friends, and many other friends/relatives in Galesburg, Kalamazoo, California, Kentucky and elsewhere. Ken and Esther have been very close to the Bills family for many years and have done a lot with them. Ken recently said, "Family is the cream of life." No one will disagree with these words about Ken: They are understatements, not embellished words. Ken was really something unique and he will be greatly missed by many. He was greatly loved and greatly appreciated. He was an exceptionally kind and compassionate and honest man with strong character and integrity. He was not ego-driven or money-motivated. He was exceptionally generous with his time and money. He was very intelligent and had the unusual combinations of both theoretical and practical knowledge along with the exceptional ability to clearly explain almost anything. His wise understanding of people was from a genuine caring and respect for all others. His unique observations and comments were usually humorous, entertaining, and correct. Once Ken casually said to Esther, "This soup requires stirring because of course, the water and the olive oil don't get along." Ken was patriotic. He was a veteran, serving in the Navy 1963-1965 and serving with the Seabees ACB. He was a purchasing agent with Upjohn/Pfizer for 31 years. He enjoyed his past and present cars (Saline Mustang, Audi A6, Mercedes E550). He enjoyed sailing. He was related to the famous Jim Beam family and, not surprisingly, enjoyed whiskey (not to excess). Among many other things Ken was a skilled pilot, welder, builder, and problem-solver extraordinaire. He was strong mentally and physically, and was an exceptionally hard worker. In all of his projects, he really was a thorough man! ********************************** Esther attends Valley Family Church in Kalamazoo where Ken would sometimes accompany her, most recently this past Fathers Day. ******************************** 1 Corinthians 7:14 "For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife." ******************************** If you care, please look up the entire poem, but to quote the last line of "Death Is Nothing At All" by Henry Scott Holland (1847-1918): "How we shall laugh at the pain of parting when we meet again!" ********************************* Ken was adamant that energy and time be for living and not death. As per his wishes, there will be no funeral or memorial. As per his wishes, he has been cremated and his cremains will eventually be at Indian Prairie Cemetary in Kalamazoo, Michigan where a gravestone is already in place. ********************************** We ask for our privacy at this time. If you feel compelled to remember Ken with a private donation, we ask that any gift be in his name and be directed to either: Bronson Health Foundation 269-341-8100 301 John Street, Box C Kalamazoo, Mi 49007 Or Kalamazoo Air Zoo 269-382-6555 6151 Portage Road Portage, Mi 49002