We'll all miss Ken Christensen's love of life

The Big Ugly C often randomly selects its victims. Obviously sometimes we can thwart that vicious enemy with good health and wise lifestyle choices.   However, this past week cancer indiscriminately claimed an icon of fitness and one of Tooele’s finest.

Ken Christensen succumbed to an aggressive melanoma cancer Thursday after a courageous four-month battle.

Ken was in peak physical condition throughout his life.  He was a fixture in the early morning hours at Pratt Aquatic Center. He was not one to casually swim a few laps and call it a morning.

He worked out and worked out hard. Day in and day out he tackled repeats of various distances before the sun rose over the Oquirrhs. At last glance he had racked up 1,337 miles at the aquatic center. That's from Tooele to Los Angeles and back.

Ken’s personality radiated. Whether you were a familiar face from years gone by or a complete stranger, Ken greeted you with a firm grip, broad smile and a sincere interest.  He loved people and people loved him.

His greatest loves were his Savior and his family.

Barbara and Ron Christensen raised Ken on Tooele’s Capri Circle.  As a youth Ken was seldom seen without his brother Scott, only 11 months his senior. Family lore says Scott started things and then Ken would get injured by what Scott started.

He was the life of every party and if there wasn’t party, Ken started one.

I distinctly remember Ken and Scott as grade schoolers sitting on the cement floor of the old Tooele Memorial Swim Pool in their Speedos. They could stick both big toes in their mouths and rock back and forth to the laughter and gawking of everyone in the lobby. Now that’s a unique talent. Ed Sullivan missed the boat by not featuring those two.

He played baseball for Sheik Matekel’s Christensen and Griffith baseball teams and later served as a co-captain and standout swimmer for Tooele High School under the direction of Coach Mel Roberts.

Somewhere in his teenage years, he was tagged with the nickname “Mouth.” I believe his closest friends in Coach Leigh Pratt's Explorer Scouts slapped that moniker on him. 
Ken shared his opinions about most everything with anyone who would listen. His voice projected clearly and distinctly.

As a leader in the LDS Church, Ken always placed people first. He anxiously accepted assignments and faithfully served in four stake presidencies before reaching the age of 50.

I loved listening to Ken speak from the pulpit. He had a knack for bringing life to a “ho-hum, here we go again” meeting. I heard him give dozens and dozens of talks over the years. He never used notes and almost always displayed unconventional props to illustrate gospel principles.

Barbara, all of us thank you and Ron for raising such an outstanding son.

Scott, Mark, Sherry and Tracy, we will miss your brother’s laughter, love and gentle kindness toward all people.

Sharie, you know better than anyone of Ken’s countless qualities. There is none better.

Karie, Brooke, Shellie and Paige, your dad made deep, positive impressions on countless people. You remain in our thoughts and our prayers at this difficult time.

Good-bye Ken. Thanks for enriching all of our lives. We will always remember the special ray of sunshine you brought into our lives whenever your greeted us. Your contagious smile and love of life are imbedded in our hearts forever.