The light of many lives was extinguished by the death of Ken Jimenez, Sr. on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at his home in Valley City, ND. He was 73 years old.

The son of the late Philip and Ruth Jimenez, Ken was born on June 23, 1952, in Tacoma, WA. A difficult childhood growing up in Riverside, CA led Ken to develop the strength and compassion for which he would be known his entire life. Although Ken attended Rubidoux High School in Riverside, he eschewed completing his studies in order to join the United States Marine Corps in 1969.

The Marines quickly recognized his immense trustworthiness and his talents in electronics and problem-solving, leading to work in cryptography, teletypes, and radio communications. Ken was immensely proud of being a Marine, and of the work he did in cryptography for the Commander-in-Chief, Atlantic Fleet (CINCLANT), radio and secure communications in Okinawa, and his work during the fall of Saigon in 1975 while aboard the USS Blue Ridge. 

After being honorably discharged from the Marines in 1977, Ken moved to Idaho. After a brief stint in construction, Ken began a long career in the telecommunications industry, working for Mountain Bell Telephone, US West, and Qwest. His retirement from telecommunications led to a second career working for the Wyoming Department of Transportation, plowing snow in the winter and conducting road maintenance and repair in the summer.

Ken’s family was an eclectic one, and the warmth of his personality and depth to which he cared for others led many to feel a strong bond to him which he often did not fully realize. In-laws, coworkers, and friends were so fond of him that they frequently considered him to be part of their immediate families. As Ken’s illnesses compounded in his last years, he warmed the hearts of the many providers involved in his care by swapping stories and making jokes — even in his bed-ridden last days, joking “I’ll be here” as providers excused themselves from his hospital room. 

Throughout his life, Ken was an avowed movie buff, science-fiction fanatic, and a lover of cryptographic puzzles. The process of film-making particularly fascinated him, and an opportunity he had in his youth to tour a film studio led to a lifelong interest in the behind-the-scenes work on movies. He picked up details others would miss — minor continuity errors or mistakes made by the prop department which he treated like “easter eggs” in the films that he watched. In earlier years, he was fond of gold prospecting, photography, metal detecting, exploring historical sites, working on (and sometimes racing) cars, and target shooting — activities which remained dear to him even when his physical condition no longer permitted it.

Ken is survived by his brother Philip; sons, Kenneth Jr. and John; step-son Kevin; step-daughters Cammie and Lisa, and many nieces, nephews, grand-children, and friends. 

He is also survived by his cat Lily, who was a source of comfort in the difficult times during the end of his life. She truly is the reason Ken fought his illnesses in his final days, helping him to endure hours of excruciating pain while waiting to be transported home to see her after being placed on hospice care. Shortly before Ken’s life drew to a close, with consciousness waning and strength exhausted, he managed to call for Lily and stay awake long enough to see and hold her one more time. Lily was such a steadfast companion that she stayed with him even after death, devotedly trying to comfort him and keep him warm.

He was preceded in death by his sister Donna; his wife Jo and daughter Rachael; his step-daughter Vickie, and his parents.

Cremation has already taken place; a committal service with military honors is planned for June 23, 2026 at Fargo National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Ken’s name to the National Kidney Foundation or the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.