Kenny Gillett

The Gillett, Wood and Ott family announces with great sadness the passing of their father, Kenny "Ken" Lee Gillett, 78, on August 12th, 2021. He suffered from cardiac arrest and peacefully passed on a few hours later surrounded by his family. Ken was born in Kalamazoo, MI on September 11, 1942. He graduated High School from Grand Ledge Academy in 1960 and then went on to study Paramedics at Grand Valley State University. In 1966, he married Paula Rae Metzger, and together they had three children, daughters Greta and Mistique and son Timothy. Ken was always so proud of his children and their achievements and never failed to show it. Ken was a loving grandfather to Mistique's sons Sven and Alex. He also enjoyed spending time with all of his nieces and nephews and their children and loved teaching them new things. He spent the greater part of the 60's and 70's in the medical field working in hospitals as a tech and as an E.M.T and driver for several ambulance companies. Ken owned and operated Kellogg Ambulance Company from 1976-79 in Kalamazoo. Ken then went on to pursue a career in video and photography editing and producing through his company Video Kaleidoscope. In 1990, he joined Borgess Hospital's video communications department where he worked for 15 years. He continued his love for all things photography related throughout his life. Prior to the pandemic, Ken worked as a dental equipment delivery driver after taking over the route that belonged to his brother, Howard Gillett, after he passed away. Ken really enjoyed driving his route as he met many wonderful people and made many dear friends. Ken was an avid baseball fan and greatly loved coaching a women's softball team, The Slammers, for many years. He also loved photography, computer technology, marksmanship, reading, gardening and spending time with family and friends. Ken also really enjoyed inventing and improving on medical equipment and firearms. He was survived by his loving family, daughter Greta Wood and her husband Matt of Phoenix, AZ, daughter Mistique Ott and her husband Mark of Grass Lake, MI, grandchildren Sven Stark of Mt. Pleasant, Alex Hickman and Salacia Ott of Grass Lake, MI, sister Nancy of Kalamazoo, brother Ben and his wife Jeree of Battle Creek, and also nieces and nephews and their families. Ken was preceded in death by his son, Timothy, parents, Kenneth Gillett and Letha Gillett Evans, brothers Howard and Allen. There will be a Celebration of Life on September 11, 2021 at the home he shared with his sister Nancy in Kalamazoo. Details to follow. You may contact Nancy at ngillett50@yahoo.com. You are gone, Ken, but you will forever live on in our hearts. We love you now and forever.

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