Kenneth Howard McKay, 78, died on July 1st at his home in Prairie Village, Kansas. 

Ken was born in Kansas City, Missouri on June 17, 1946, the son of Viola Maxine and Jack McKay, and raised by his mother and stepfather, Gus Perparas.   His parents and older brother preceded him in death.  He is survived by his beloved family:  his Darling, (Carol) and their three sons, Cooper, Nicklas, and Dylan and his sister and brother-in-law, Michelle and Jeff Shoemaker.  Ken greatly enjoyed his nieces and nephews and their children and was their go-to for entertainment, sparking their minds and funny bones.   He was most proud of his three children for their spirits and accomplishments and was their beloved papa.  He shared books with Nick, “dry swims” for flight plans with Cooper, and filming Dylan’s skateboarding as well as the intricacies of their daily lives. 

Ken faced his illness with grace and good humor.   He relished that his family was together during this time as well as simple pleasures like the birds and critters in his garden.

Ken and Carol met at the Plaza Art Fair and were married in November 1978.  They subsequently moved to San Francisco and then Aptos, California where they raised their family by the Monterey Bay.   Ken learned electronics in the US Marine Corps and transitioned to the computer industry in Silicon Valley.  where he applied his knowledge in various roles in the computer technology field.   Within that environment, he co-founded two companies:  AS IS, a market research and product development consulting firm and Grape Networks, a wireless sensor networking company that developed and launched their sensors in the Gallo vineyards to assess numerous agricultural factors for customized growing and data collection.  Upon retirement, he turned his skills and tools to repairing and selling antique lighters.   He also greatly enjoyed his time working at Diebel’s, a local cigar shop.

Ken was a lifelong learner, with keen interests in history, politics, the sciences, philosophy, the human condition and all their connections.  He enjoyed stimulating and broad conversations with his friends and family, and wherever his adventures took him, he was always dapper in his appearance and style.

Ken was a joyful practitioner of Tai Chi throughout his life and reveled in its healthful benefits and mind body connection. 

His family wishes to gratefully acknowledge the expertise and care of Kansa City Hospice, who supported him lovingly.   

Ken’s  memorial service will be on July 12th at 3 p.m. at Porter’s Funeral Home in Lenexa, Kansas.

Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice and the Democratic party.