October 8, 1941 - June 15, 2024
Ken passed away peacefully on June 15th while on vacation.
The youngest of eight children, he was born on October 8, 1941 in Winnipeg, Manitoba to his parents Wenman and Queen Langton. The family moved to Burnaby in 1945 and then to South Surrey BC (1954), where Ken lived for the rest of his life.
Ken met Norma (Henry), the love of his life, in Grade 13 at Semiahmoo High School.
After graduating high school, he worked briefly in the Yukon, later returning to UBC where he graduated with a B.Ed. Ken and Norma married in 1965 and had two children, Keith and Pamela.
Ken taught woodworking, construction, drafting and math at Queen Elizabeth Secondary, retiring in 1998.
He was the ultimate do-it-yourselfer. As a young parent and full-time teacher, he built a 48-foot ferro-cement sailboat in his backyard. He also built an addition to their house and a two-storey garage. He loved woodworking, making many beautiful pieces of furniture and cabinetry for family and friends. In the early 80's Ken, Norma and family started travelling internationally each summer.
Ken raised his children with love and taught them to be independent, hard-working adults.
He had a special love for his four granddaughters: Elizabeth, Rebecca, Sarah and Charlotte.
Despite health issues in his later years, Ken continued to enjoy woodworking, gardening and music listening.
Ken was strong-willed (stubborn!), humorous and sociable. He enjoyed time with family and friends and was always ready to celebrate the special occasions.
Predeceased by his parents and siblings Fred, June (Ferguson), Roy, Gordon and Patricia (Allardyce).
He is survived by his wife of 59 years Norma, his children Keith (Laura) and Pam Rowlands (Mark), his four granddaughters Elizabeth (Santiago), Rebecca, Sarah and Charlotte, his siblings Vera (Asbury), Mary (Smith), sister-in-law Bernice, many nieces and nephews and other extended family.
A celebration of life will be held on August 19, 2024, at 2:00 pm at Elgin Hall in South Surrey.
Service Details
2:00 PM