Ken “Kenny” Truesdell, 88, passed away peacefully April 6 at his home.

Ken was born Nov. 6, 1930, in Eaton, Colo., to Eugene and Helen Truesdell. Ken’s family moved to Oregon in 1936.

After several years as a buckaroo in the Bend area, Ken served eight years in the United States Air Force as a dog handler in the Military Police. Stationed in Kent, England, Ken met his future wife, Primrose Pickett. On Oct. 26, 1957, they married and moved to Makah Air Force Station, Wash. After returning to Portland, Ken was honorably discharged as an Airman First Class in 1958.

Ken began working again as a buckaroo, becoming a ranch manager in Jackson Hole. In Oregon, Ken raised sheep, worked in construction, and then retired from Clackamas County Road Department.

Ken loved horses and team roping. He taught his daughters to ride and rope. After retirement, Ken focused on raising championship Montadale sheep, and winning team penning with his dogs, Blue and Laddie.

Ken enjoyed learning, and he read a wide variety of books throughout his life. If they asked their dad about a new word, Ken would instruct the girls to look it up in the dictionary!

Ken is survived by his sister, Marietta; wife, Primrose; children, Teresa (Ernie), Joanne (David), and Mary (Jeremy); grandchildren, Audie, Milo, Adam, Scott, and Maygen; and great-grandchildren, Taytum, Aurora, and Korbyn.

A service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, April 27, at Holy Family Catholic Church, with interment at the Burns Cemetery with military honors.

Contributions in Ken’s memory may be made to Harney County Hospice or the American Legion Post 63, and mailed to LaFollette’s Chapel, P.O. Box 488, Burns, Oregon 97720.