Kennith James Bacon

Kennith James Bacon passed away early Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, after a stroke.

Kennith was born June 24, 1928, in Camas, Wash. His parents were Harry and Rowena Bacon. Harry was a logger so the family moved around a lot. Ken went to school in Vernonia, Ore., until 1946 and then moved to Craigmont where he graduated from high school in 1948.

Ken went into the U.S. Army in 1949 and spent four years stationed in Germany. After the Army he went to work for Guy Bennett Lumber. He worked at several locations, but ended up working in Clarkston where he was promoted to mill superintendent. He retired from the mill in 1990 and went gold mining in Elk City for three or four years with several partners. After he left there, he went to work for St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in the warehouse for eleven years. He retired from there in 2003.

In November 1959, he married Janice Farance, they had a son named Steven. He divorced Janice in August 1965.

In January of 1966, he married Rhoda Lee Spence, who had three children from a previous marriage. They are Pamela, Donald and Kristie Spence who were all attending grade school at the time.

When Ken retired for the second time, Ken and Rhoda spent their summers up at Dworshak in the Dent area. They had purchased a trailer and a boat and spent their days fishing and evenings visiting with friends in the campground. They did this for many years. They don’t go up there anymore, but they still got together with their friends for lunches or dinners once in a while.

Ken and Rhoda went camping with the kids on weekends, made a trip to Europe, went on many motorcycle trips with other couples in the United States and up into the northern part of Canada. Ken worked on lawn mowers, motorcycles, speeders (they go on railroad tracks), he rebuilt several tractors and built storage racks and work benches for his daughter.

In August of 2022, Ken went to live in Idaho State Veterans Home in Lewiston after he was diagnosed with hydrocephalus. He said the food was good and that they took very good care of him. Rhoda, Pam and Kris took turns visiting Ken so he had someone there to visit with him every day. Many of the residents told him that he was a very lucky guy and he told them that he knew that.

The Veterans Home took great care of Ken the last few days of his life, and took good care of Rhoda, Pam and Kris also. All their kind work was appreciated.

Ken is survived by his wife, Rhoda Bacon, his two daughters Pamela and Kristie Spence (Mark Mayer) and Steven Bacon. Ken also has nephews, Arlie Bacon, Mike Bacon, Dave Bacon and Scott Bacon.

Deceased family members are Harry Bacon (father), Rowena Bacon (mother), Delta and Donna Bacon (sisters), Dale Bacon (brother), Richard Bacon (nephew), Hillary Spence (granddaughter) and Donald Spence (stepson).

Ken will be missed by his extended family and friends. He had a great smile and loved to visit with everyone.

There will be a private spreading of Ken’s ashes at a later date. In lieu of flowers please donate to a cancer charity or pet shelter of your choice.