The following obituary was written by Ken:
Kenneth P. Marx of Helena, Montana, age 68, died peacefully in his sleep on Monday, June 29th. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Clyde and Mary Ruth (Nichols) Marx. Ken is survived by Cheryl Christopher, who became his cherished wife in 1996. He is also survived by his first wife, Janice (Greene) Marx and his children: Kevin M. Marx (Marla), Karen Janae Marx and his stepson Denon C. Minney. David C. Marx (Diane), his brother, still resides in Texas. Ken has seven surviving grandchildren: Monica, Page, Tajalliyat, Galen, Amy, Zyik and Kayla (and one grandcat, Miss Lilly).
Ken was born in Lumber City, Georgia, but lived there only about four years. His parents moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he spent his elementary school years. Ken enjoyed his junior high school as a Cornhusker in Ogallala, Nebraska. It was in Ogallala he learned to swim, fish, camp, farm, ranch and various sports. Ken’s family moved back to Cheyenne where he graduated from Cheyenne East High School. He majored in secondary education at the University of Wyoming at Laramie graduating with a B.A. degree from the College of Education in 1972.
In the U.S. Army (Signal Corps), he received a Reserve Army Commission. During his eight years with the reserves, Ken had duty assignments at Fort Gordon, Georgia; Fort Knox, Kentucky; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Fort Lewis, Washington; Fort Carson, Colorado and the Presidio in San Francisco. With the rank of Captain, Ken was honorably discharged from the Army Reserves in 1980. While Ken resided n California, he attended Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Mill Valley. There he received an M.R.E. (Masters of Religion Education) in 1974.
Ken’s secular career was with the telephone company. It began in Cheyenne, Wyoming, with Mountain Bell which later became US West then Qwest Communications. He held many positions including installer/repairman, customer service representative, storekeeper, acquisition’s manager and investment specialist. Ken retired with over thirty years of telephone service on January 25th, 2006.
The beauty of the Rocky Mountains became a life-long joy to Ken. He loved to fish, hike, canoe and camp in the mountain settings with family and good friends. The California shores were fun times for Ken and his family, but ultimately, his soul longed for the smell of pines, the sounds of babbling brooks and streams, beaver ponds, and alpine lakes. Ken enjoyed the variable seasons found in Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana; the places where he lived most of his life.
Leisure reading was another one of Ken’s earthly joys. He also was involved with many different areas of service in several different religious ministries. Ken could often be found helping family and friends by being a listening ear. They knew he loved and cared for them. The love of his family and friends will go with Ken as he continues on his spiritual journey.
The Disabled Veterans and the Panda Wildlife were near and dear to Ken as he supported them. Family requests continue support to DAV, PO Box 189, Ft. Harrison, MT 59636 or www.worldwildlife.org.
A celebration of life will be held 10:00am, Friday, July 10 at the Gateway Center, 1710 National Ave. To offer condolences to the family and the update on the date and time of service please visit www.helenafunerals.com.
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Dorothy Kircher says
When I think of Ken, I think of laughter,a big smile,and his pipe. I worked with Ken in Cheyenne & Denver. We became friends, and remained so. I will miss Ken alot, he was one of the good ones. Hope where ever he is , he is doing some fishing. I’ll miss you Ken.
My thoughts & prayers go out to his family.
Jack L Long says
To the family of Ken Marx
I hired Ken to work at Golden West Enterprises and felt from the very minute I hired him that he was a great find for our company. I worked with Ken from January 2013 until I retired July of 2014. I can honestly tell you that I looked forward to seeing him each and every day. Ken was a great co worker but I felt that he became a much better friend. I continued to stay in touch with Ken after leaving Golden West Enterprises. I can’t remember when I met a man that I instantly liked as much as Ken. I respected him more than I can put into words. Ken was so kind, thoughtful and always such a team player he was just a joy to be around. As much as I will truly miss this fantastic man I am so happy that he will now be seated with the father and I find peace just knowing that we will meet again. To each of his family you are truly in my prayers anf I hope you will find you’re peace as well.
For ever thinking of Ken
Jack Long
Brad Frazier says
Every day it was nice to back in the shop at work, and have his smile and his jokes. Always asked how are day went and loved to hear stories of the day. We all will miss ken at gw! Karate king will always have a place in my hart. Warehouse breaks are bare and the back area is quite. Miss you man see you on the other side! Rip;(
Kay Daugaard says
Ken was a wonderful, caring individual, and I felt fortunate to have known him. His smile and wit brightened our day. God Bless and know that he will be missed by all who knew him.
Scott Greeley says
I worked with Ken at Golden West and was sorry to hear of his pasing. Never met a nicer man. I loved to cook for him as he always ate it and told you how good it was. Even if it wasn’t. He was good for my ego. 🙂 Always made everything nice for everyone. He was always joking around and saying he was putting in a requisition for a cot for work. He would always come into the warehouse first thing in the morning and sit in his “motivational” chair for a few minutes before starting his day and keeping everything in tip top shape. Miss his laughter, talking with him and his smiling face behind the pipe. Could write a whole lot more but I would be here all night writing what a great man he was as anyone that met him would agree. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and loved ones in our loss.
Scott Greeley
Irving Murray says
Ken was his own man but he showed friendship and kindness to every one he knew. I have known Ken since college and even thought our get times together where far between when we got together it was as if we had seen each other yesterday. I always thought of him as one of my good friends. He will be missed. I will see him again on the other side.
Irving Murray
Stephanie Copeland says
I was truly saddened when I came across this obituary for Ken. Having lost touch with our friends Cheryl Christopher and Ken Marx, who were both so dear to my husband and myself, I send much love and appreciation for the delightfully fun and healing times spent together in Laramie, WY and Helena, MT. They are alive always and dancing in our thoughts. If Cheryl should read this, or if anyone knows her contact information, David and I (smcopeland@yahoo.com) would love to hear from her.