Kenneth Walter RECTOR

Rector, Kenneth W. Ken passed away at Hospice House in Spokane on October 18, 2011, after a brief illness. He was born in Spokane to E.W. “Bill” and Maude (McNeil) Rector on Jan. 17, 1922, the seventh of nine children. He graduated from North Central High School, with a major in printing. After Pearl Harbor was attacked, Ken enlisted in the Navy and served on the USS Maryland as a Yeoman, participating in many of the battles in the Pacific islands, including the Gilberts and Tarawa. After returning from the war, Ken went to visit the parents of one of his fallen comrades and met the love of his life, their daughter Valerie. Val and Ken were married for 61 years. A graduate of Kinman Business University, Ken was employed by Lawton Printing, Inc., Sprouse Ritz, and Coldwell Nursery before joining the Fossum Paint Company. He retired from Fossum as President in 1987, after selling the company to Columbia Paint. A long-time member of the board of directors for the National Association of Credit Management, Inland NW, Ken served as their president in 1974. He was a member of the Hillyard and North Hill Masonic Lodges, Scottish Rite Bodies, the El Katif Shriners, and ROJ. He was a Board of Governors Emeritus Member of the Spokane Unit of the Shriners Hospital for Children, and volunteered countless hours as a Hospital Greeter. A devoted family man, Ken is survived by his daughter, Pamela Rector; his sister, Beatrice Ryan; nieces Sandy (Dick) Nimmer, Gail (Steve) Quaid, Janice Gibson, Donna Jean Waller, Janet (Dale) Stacy and Sharon (Tom) Talarico; nephews Neil (Mary Ann) Rector, Bob (Julie) Rector, Ron (Nancy) Rector, Jack Rector, Larry (Peggy) Pool, Jim (Gloria) Rector, Gary (Carol) Lawton, Ray (Caryl) Lawton, Jim Ryan and Bill Ryan. He was preceded in death by his wife, Val (Johnson) Rector; his parents, Bill and Maude Rector; sisters Viola Pool and Blanche Lawton; brothers Rex, Bill, Floyd, Donald and Roderick Rector. Graveside Service will be held Friday, October 21, at 12:00 noon at Greenwood Cemetery, with a reception to follow at Rockwood South Community Center. Donations in Ken’s honor can be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, Spokane Unit, 911 W. 5th Ave, Spokane, 99204.