Kenneth W. Currin of Moscow died Monday, June 10, 2013, at his home. He was 79.
Kenneth William Currin was born Dec. 2, 1933, to Louisa Mary Jacobs and Simeon C. Currin in Sweetwater, Idaho, on his uncle's dairy farm. When only days old, his parents returned to their home in Genesee, Idaho, where he lived until he was 3, then moving to a farm outside Palouse, Wash.
He attended school at Albion and then Palouse until his mother passed away in September 1947. He lived with a sister in Spokane and went to eighth grade in the country. The summer of 1948, he moved back to Palouse and attended high school, graduating in 1952. He lettered in four sports - basketball, football, baseball and boxing. He was chosen athlete of the year by his teammates, a distinction of which he was very proud.
Ken married Jean Crimmins June 12, 1955, in the First Presbyterian Church in Moscow, Idaho.
While in high school and until working for the Washington Water Power, Ken farmed and laid drainage tile for WA Nichols out of Palouse. He enjoyed farming and running the "dozer." He belonged to the Palouse Jaycees for a few years and played basketball on the town team. In 1956, he started working for the Washington Water Power for 38 years as a meter reader, truck driver and lineman. He had amazing stories to tell from his years with WWP.
Ken assisted in Camp Fire Girls for 13 years and also worked with Cub Scouts for three years.
He was responsible for taking 14- and 15-year-old girls on a 10-day camping trip to Canada. Twice!
Ken and Jean were foster parents for many years, making lifelong friends with some of the teenagers who came to stay with them.
Ken is survived by his wife, Jean; a daughter, Kathleen, and Jess Hall, of Palmer, Alaska; sons, Terrance and Joy Currin, of Portland, Ore., and Patrick and Kristin Currin, of Elgin, Ore; bonus sons, Mansour Sheibany, of Kennewick, Wash., and David and Carla Williams, of Bloomington, Ind.; grandchildren, Rebecca Hall, Riley and Dawson Currin; bonus grandchildren, Charles, Elin and Markus Williams; and step-granddaughters, Meagan Correa and Kristy and Andrew Brock. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Gilbert and Simeon; and four sisters, Rose, Grace, Melva and Lucille.
The funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, June 15, 2013, at Short's Funeral Chapel in Moscow. Pastor Bob Parker will officiate, and burial will follow at the Moscow Cemetery.
The family suggests memorials be made to Moscow Special Olympics, 823 East B. St., Moscow, ID 83843, or to the Shriner's Children's Hospital in Spokane.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Short's Funeral Chapel, Moscow, and online condolences may be sent to www.shortsfuneralchapel.net.
