Kenneth Lee Klavon – my best friend and amazing husband and father – left us peacefully November 1, 2021, after a long, hard-fought battle to stay. His loss leaves a hole in our hearts, for he was the most honest and loving man and the love of my life.
Born in Nebraska, February 3, 1932, his parents moved the family to California in 1936. Raised on a ranch in Hayward, CA, Ken loved all animals and made and kept many friendships – some that began in high school – all throughout his life. He was a kind and gentle soul yet was the life of the party, always making people laugh with his fun-loving humor.
Enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1951, Ken was proud of his service in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska during the Korean War and eventually his career as a banker, spending most of his professional life in South Lake Tahoe, CA. He loved helping people get a start in life and helped many others recover from hard times. He was loved and respected for his ability to make people comfortable and know that they truly mattered to him.
Ken also loved classic cars and enjoyed over 15 years with the Valley Cruisers Car Club (Gardnerville chapter), taking pride in showing his restored 1939 Ford pick-up at the car shows. He considered his close friends in the car club his extended family.
He loved his family fiercely and is survived by his wife of 38 years, Shirley, and daughters Michelle Klavon Castle (husband Ron), Lesa Renee Pence (husband Rob), and Teresa Liane Pence, brother Gus Klavon, (wife Elizabeth) and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.
A memorial and celebration of life is planned for Spring 2022 with hopes of dedicating a bench in either Minden, NV or Gardnerville, NV to remember our very precious man. The family extends their gratitude to all who made his life special. - Shirley Klavon
In lieu of flowers, please support ongoing studies by volunteering or donating to the Alzheimer’s Association.