Kenneth L. "Kenny" Wexler, 69

Kenneth Leland Wexler, our beloved grandfather, father, brother, and best friend, passed away on December 29, 2013, a beautiful soul, fulfilled, had become weary, striving against gradual heart failure.

Kenny was born May 24, 1944, to Clifford and Eileen Wexler, of Pullman, WA, their youngest son, raised on the family farm with his two older brothers, Wayne and Fred.

From early on, Ken proved to be a masterful heavy equipment operator. He began driving at age 4, honing his skills in an old army jeep on the backroads of the Palouse, around the barnyard, and into the chicken coop. After a bit more practice, at age 6, Kenny was able to join the rest of the family on the harvest crew.

Dreaming of casual summers of leisure and play, Kenny and his brothers worked hard, learning the value of an honest day's work, family duty, pride in service to others, and respect for the fruits of their labors. Life on the farm was nonetheless exciting, and sibling rivalries abounded, plots were weaved and foiled, battles fought, but inevitably the scales tipped; the youngest brother had grown strong.

Ken graduated from Pullman High School in 1962, a spectacular and talented athlete, champion wrestler, and formidable football player. He walked-on as a Washington State University Cougar, where he studied Kinesiology, and was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. Ken lived at home while in college, and continued to work on the family farm, eventually leaving school to partner with his brother Fred in excavation and construction, where they designed and built houses, apartment complexes and subdivisions.

Ken's leisure time led him to Casey's Dance Hall in the Lewiston/Clarkston valley, where he met Jean Ann Matteson, and fell deeply in love. The couple was married on November 12, 1966, at Trinity Lutheran Church, in Lewiston, and built a new home in Pullman, WA, where they had two children, a son Shaun, and daughter, Shelley. The family enjoyed snow skiing and water skiing, spending summers on the Snake River, and winters at Bald Mountain Ski Area, where he helped build their Ski Patrol Shack, and joined the National Ski Patrol.

Ken began a new career with Poe Asphalt Paving, running equipment as an operating engineer, and crew foreman. The family moved to Lewiston in 1974, and together during the winter months of 1976, built a new home in the Clarkston heights. Ken and Jean Ann were divorced in 1979. Ken continued to live in Clarkston with his son, Shaun. He quickly progressed in his career, becoming the local manager and estimator for the company, and eventually took over as general manager of the Pullman branch. Ken's commitment to honesty, quality workmanship, and efficiency was apparent. He was always friendly, his coworkers greatly respected and admired him, and the company thrived under his expertise.

But for decades, Ken had quietly dreamt of owning his own company, and in 1994, he resigned, and founded Quad-Cities Construction, Inc., which in spite of fierce competition, quickly grew into a prosperous and respected company, which he operated until 2000. He owned three asphalt plants, fleets of trucks and heavy equipment, with several crews, at its peak employing over 150 full-time union workers. He was a man of integrity, honored with several industry awards for quality and workmanship, and took great pride in every aspect of his business, contracting with the public, as well as city, county, state and federal agencies.

Ken was an expert powder skier, and had adopted Brundage Mountain, in McCall, ID, as his weekend winter home. He travelled to other ski resorts to test his prowess on their steepest-and-deepest, and enjoyed helicopter skiing in the backcountry. His favorite run was directly beneath the chairlift in the bumps and powder; seen from anywhere on the mountain, everyone knew it was Kenny. As a skier, his strong style and fluid form was impeccable, a beautiful sight to behold. Many friends were taught to ski the powder by Ken.

His circle of friends was vast, his smile always beaming and infectious. Ken and his friends met daily for workouts, which he enjoyed immensely. He was an avid bodybuilder and weightlifter, and regular fixture around the gym, up until two months before his death.

Ken is survived by his brothers Fred Wexler and Wayne Wexler, son Shaun Wexler, daughter-in-law Mia, and grandson Ozzy Wexler, his daughter Shelley Boyer, son-in-law Jeff Boyer, and granddaughter Hadley Boyer. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, January 10, at Kimball Funeral Home, in Pullman, WA, with brief graveside procession to follow.

Ken's memorial celebration will be held on Sunday, February 2, from 12:00 pm until 7:30 pm, at the Quality Inn, in Clarkston, WA. Kenny tremendously enjoyed his Superbowl parties, and had recently remodeled his home in excitement for this year's event. In his honor, we are hosting a couch party, and bringing his living room with us! Friends and family are invited to attend and watch the Superbowl in grand fashion, in high-definition and surround-sound, with munchies and a no-host bar provided. Bring your couch along, and join in his celebration! Ken will be greatly missed, and would want his friends to enjoy themselves, as he loved everyone dearly.