Kenneth Graybeal

Just Cremation

Ken Graybeal, cowboy, civil engineer with a Master’s degree from Harvard, poet, author, artist, sculptor, wood carver, occasional gold miner, builder of a  finished 4-room basement for which he dug the hole, by hand and carried the dirt away, one wheelbarrow at a time, while the house remained above it ;  creator of furniture and building designer and carpenter;  golfer, singer, song writer and guitarist, was relieved of his old, worn-out body at 1:30 a. m. on Friday, November 24, 2018, as his very-much-alive-and-beautiful spirit was released to meet his Creator and a New Life, after five painful years of serious health issues.  While the above were some of his accomplishments extraordinaire, his most valued accomplishments were as a dearly beloved husband, loving father, grandfather, Grandpa “Grape” (great-grandfather) and loyal friend.  Though he would deny it, he was an excellent teacher.  In his quiet way he taught all who knew him  by  his humility, patience, generosity, forgiveness,  compassion and gratitude. He didn’t talk about his spiritual and Christian values—he lived them.  Grateful to be born and bred a Montanan, Ken began this earthly journey thanks to his parents, Wayne and Stella Graybeal, on December 17, 1932, in Lewistown, Mt, which is touted as the exact center of Montana. And central to his growing up years were his parents and his older brother Keith and a large extended family of  aunts, uncles and cousins galore.  Ken met his first wife, physical therapist Mary Jo Farr, at a folk dance in Seattle. They wed while he was still a student at U of W. in Seattle.  Because she was from Florida they made multiple trips there to visit her relatives after adding their three children, Doug, Dan and Susan to their family. Montana stream fishing was his forte, NOT deep-sea fishing, but he gritted his teeth and swallowed the sea-sickness he was prone to as he learned to catch the big ones in Florida. He never liked the sea, though. In later years he learned to wear a special patch behind his ear to keep from throwing-up when he joined his sons in deep-sea fishing.  Ken and Mary Jo were active participants in their childrens’ growing up—leaders in Girl Guides, Boy Scouts, etc and their Congregational Church’s multiple activities.  Sadly,she developed lung cancer and died 4 months after their first grandchild was born and 6 months after their 25th anniversary.  After a long grieving time Ken met and married an artist, Janet Bell in Seattle.  She died after a short illness.   His third wife, Gerry, was a learning experience that ended in divorce.  Ken retired after 28 years as a civil engineer for the Army Corps of Engineers, based in Seattle, and moved back to Hall,the town of his growing up years, in April of 1995. In July of ’95 he met his wife, Nikki, at the nursing home in Deer Lodge, where his father lived and she worked. After carefully “vetting” him for a solid week, the divorced Nikki shakily invited him to accompany her to a local theater production. In his decidedly “unsuave” manner he replied, “oh, what the heck, why not?”  And thus began a 22-year love story.  After they married a few months later, they traveled to many states, golf clubs and guitar in the back seat. They stopped in many towns to visit relatives and sing “golden oldies” at nursing homes.  Ken used Nikki as his “front man” as he was always shy. Accompanied by the ever-present guitar, they flew to Malawi as members of a team with Habitat for Humanity. Helping construct a mud-brick house in the morning, the Graybeals taught American songs and games at area village schools in the afternoon. A few years later in China  they team-taught basic English to a class of 17 middle-school  Chinese students, while evenings they taught songs and dances to the entire school of 250 kids, plus a dozen Chinese adults. Reading to residents and singing in area schools and nursing and assisted-living homes was a part of their local activities.   Ken served the in the U. S. Army in the early ‘50s for two years and was a valued member of Ruby Lodge Masons in Drummond.  Camping, reading, fossil-hunting, gardening, building and fixing things were among his interests when they moved back to the ranch Ken that grew up on in ’98. His dry sense of humor was a hallmark of his personality.  Ken left behind temporarily his devoted wife, Nikki, 7 children, both by birth and by marriage, Doug (Kathy), Dan  (Kerry) Susan (David) Autumn (Tracey), Rob (Rita), Glen (Hiroko) and Dan Tyler.  13 grandchildren: Tyler, Brett ( Holly), Sarah, Josh (Melissa), Danny, (Lissa), Olivia, Kayla, Angel, Andy, Tyler, Elise(Arturo) Dylan (Thyanna) and Austin.   14 great-grandchildren: Liam, Bridger, Tristan, Braxton, Easton, Lily, Jace, Ophelia, Kyla, John, Austin, Hunter, River and Julian, plus  a large, loving batch of cousins, nieces and nephews. and many dear friends.   His first service will be held at the University Congregational Church in Missoula on Monday, Dec. 3, at 10 a. m. with a luncheon immediately following.  The second service will be held the same day, Monday, Dec. 3, at 3 p. m. at the Community Hall in Drummond, with a potluck supper immediately following.  Ruby Lodge Masons will conduct a short graveside service for family only, promptly at 2:15 at the family plot in the Drummond Cemetery.

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Kenneth Graybeal Obituary | Just Cremation