Obituary of Kenneth McBride Bethune

Kenneth McBride Bethune left us on 7/23/2021 and he is missed. We know he is dancing among the stars while wrapped in the arms of our Lord and Savior as we honor him in spirit. Ken was born October 1, 1922 in Okmulgee Oklahoma, to Roland Arthur Bethune and Mary Violetta Davis. As the world descended into the Great Depression his family including 7 boys and 1 girl were by necessity, clever and industrious. They moved to Mountain Grove, Missouri and then to Rochester, Washington. Ken completed high school in Rochester and enlisted in the United States Navy. He attended Pilot Training in Jacksonville, Florida and naval school in Texas where he met his future wife Hazel Ellen Williams. Ken served in the South Pacific on the Aircraft Carrier USS Bougainville. After five years Ken returned to Texas and married Hazel. They moved to Idaho where Ken attended school at a Naval base near Coeur d'Alene and his first two children were born, and then to Vancouver, Washington. Together they raised 4 children. Ken is survived by his sons Kenneth Bethune Jr., Tim Bethune, Jeffrey Bethune and daughter Cheryl Kiely. They settled in Camas, Washington where Ken became a supervisor at the Crown-Zellerbach Paper mill. He helped to build his beautiful home on 4 acres where he grew vegetable gardens and grapes for his hobby, wine making. Ken was a scout master, Babe Ruth baseball team manager, an avid hunter, fisherman, golfer and Champion horseshoe pitcher at company picnics. Ken enjoyed square dancing, and ballroom dancing. He traveled extensively and enjoyed life with great zeal. He was a humble man and a true gentleman. Those who knew him are blessed with remembrance of a man dedicated to his family. Ken was preceded in death by His wife Hazel in 1985. Ken is survived by his sister Marjorie, his 4 children, 6 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. A Memorial Ceremony to celebrate Ken will be held at a future date at the Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon where Ken will be interred with Full Military Honors. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown's Funeral Home in Camas, Washington. To send condolences to the family, please visit Ken's guest book at www.brownsfh.com