On Thursday, October 28th, 2021, Kenneth (Ken) Legrande Partridge, age 89, passed from this life to the next while surrounded by many family members who loved him. Ken was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on July 25th, 1932. He was preceded in death by his father, Shannon Legrande Partridge, his mother, Verna Moosman Partridge, and his sister Carol Partridge McGee. He is survived by his loving wife, Kathleen Rees Partridge, Brother, David Lynn Partridge, 4 Children (Thomas Lee Partridge, Robert Lynn Partridge, Joyce Ann Ryan and Susan Williams), 4 Stepchildren (Teresa Marie Tanner, John Wesley Bryant, Royce Conan Bryant and Cherie Elizabeth Constance) 20 grand and step-grandchildren, and 27 great and step great-grandchildren. He loved his family and always looked forward to their fun visits with him. He was quite the tease to his Grands.
Ken grew up in the Glendale and Fairpark areas of Salt Lake City and graduated from West Hight School. Due to family circumstances he began to work part time at age 14, working first at a meat packing plant on West North Temple, followed by Layton Roofing Company (where his father was employed as superintendent). He fell from a roof and broke his hip/back at age 17 and subsequently lived with pain for the remainder of his life. Ken worked in the roofing industry throughout his life, rising to the position of vice-president of Layton Roofing Company, at the time, one of the largest companies in the state.
He married Mildred Shaw in 1951 (later divorced), Janice Mauchley in 1974 (later divorced), and Kathleen Rees Partridge in 2000 and they were later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple.
Ken was a talented guitar player and played in several small groups, performing at Church programs and civic events. He was also a talented sketch artist who loved drawing portraits of family members. He was an honest man who believed in keeping commitments.
After retirement he volunteered at a local elementary school helping under-privileged students learn to read. Later, he began buying and refurbishing used bicycles and giving them to people and especially children who needed and wanted them. More than a few adults gained a way to work, and missionaries had their bicycles repaired free of charge due to Ken’s generosity. Though an exact number of gifted bicycles is not known, it would easily exceed 100.
Ken and Kathy had the privilege of serving 3 missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Church Museum, Church History Library and “Orange Street Half-way House” and were faithful in their church callings as well.
He will be most remembered, however, for his quick wit and colorful anecdotes and sayings. He had a gruff exterior that some did not understand, but to those of us who knew him well, he was an affectionate, faithful, and loving man.
Husband, Brother, Father, Grandfather, Great-grandfather and friend; our lives are better for having known you and you will be greatly missed.
The family wishes to express its appreciation to the staff of the Truewood Assisted Living Center in Bountiful, Utah where Ken and Kathy were residing at the time of his death and especially to Jen, the hospice nurse who lovingly cared for him.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 5th at 11:00 a.m. with viewing on Thursday, November 4th from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Meadow Ward Chapel, 1955 West 400 North, Salt Lake City, Utah and before the services on Friday from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Interment will be immediately following the funeral services at Larkin Sunset Gardens 1950 E. 10600 S, Sandy, UT.