Kenneth Ray Bladow

Kenneth Ray Bladow October 5, 1960 - May 4, 2013 Kenneth Ray Bladow, 52, of Clackamas, Oregon died May 4, 2013 as a result of an accident on Highway 212 while riding his motorcycle (scooter) home after enjoying an evening of laughter and the company of his wife's family at her parents' home in Oak Grove, including relatives who were visiting from their home in Minnesota. Family was always important to Ken. Ken was born October 5, 1960 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland, Oregon to Woodrow (Woody) and Juanita Bladow. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sellwood, the neighborhood in which he grew up in and attended elementary and middle schools. Ken graduated from Benson Polytechnic High School in Portland and received an Associate Degree from Portland Community College. Ken came to Sabin-Schellenberg (North Clackamas School District) in 2002 as the Technical Assistant in the Telecommunications Program. He played a critical role in setting up the Schellenberg TV studio and radio station, and worked with instructor Deborah Barnes to teach students how to run the studio: lights, cameras, monitors, teleprompter, as well as how to set up a radio show. In 2006, Ken then became the Technology Support Specialist for the three campuses of Sabin-Schellenberg where he maintained hundreds of computers and other technology devices. If you attended or facilitated an event in the Schellenberg Commons, Ken most likely set up your technology needs for you. Ken and his wife, Susan, knew each other nearly from birth as both their families attended Immanuel Lutheran. They were in Sunday School and youth activities together at the church and were married at Immanuel on May 21, 1983. In a few weeks they would have celebrated their 30th anniversary. To this union were born two sons, Kristopher and Stephen. Ken followed in his dad's footsteps, playing for the Wilhelm Funeral Home bowling team, made up of men from the church who bowled each Tuesday night for many years at Milwaukie Bowl. Kristopher and Stephen got the itch as well, with the entire family (including his wife's family) bowling in the church's Sunday league with mother Juanita cheering them on from the gallery. Ken served his congregation in many capacities. He was a member of the church choir for many years, joining his wife and her family to make up a significant percentage of the choir. He also played in the church's handbell choir for several years along with the family. With the dawn of computer technology, Ken became the church's one person audio-visual department. He installed all the equipment, upgraded it as necessary, and served as the "sound engineer" for services at the church - missing only when ill or on vacation with family. As a part of this service, he prepared CD's of each service to be used by members of Immanuel that cannot attend ("shut-ins"). He trained a second volunteer, son Kristopher, to help with these duties. Ken helped (along with his wife and sons) in usher duties at the church and was the player coach/captain of the church's softball team for several years, again where his entire family joined in playing and where he developed son Stephen's baseball skills. In later years, when the church lacked enough players to field a team, Ken joined the West Linn Lutheran softball team to continue his participation in the sport. Family and friends were always an important part of Ken's life. Ken made sure his mother was cared for, bringing her to Sunday services at the church each week and performing many other care activities for her. The family enjoyed many camping (including fishing, of course!) and other outings with their friends Wayne and Tammy Berry, and enjoyed cruises to exotic locations such as the Caribbean and Mexico, in addition to trips to Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm when the kids were younger. Also included were trips to visit Susan's relatives in Minnesota, where Ken would always be found with fishing pole in hand in pursuit of northern pike. A favorite memory of the family is Ken's role in the family produced musical video, "Fishing the Floyd," where he had a solo part singing the words "the lakes are alive with the sound of big loons" to the Sound of Music tune. Ken is survived by his wife, Susan; sons, Kristopher and Stephen of Clackamas, OR; mother, Juanita of Clackamas, OR; sister, Terry Jensen (Randy) of Newberg, OR; and a number of family from both the Bladow and Cox families. Ken's father, Woodrow (Woody) preceded him in death. Ken will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all the people he touched throughout his life. The family extends its sincere thanks to the first responders and the TIP volunteers who assisted the family at the scene of the accident and to all the family and friends who have kept them in their thoughts and prayers and provided support in many ways during this time. A celebration of life service will be at 3:00 p.m. Friday, May 10, 2013, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 7810 SE 15th Avenue, Portland, Oregon. Pastor David Zemke will officiate the service. The family believes that Ken, with an embarrassed smile, would request any memorials given in his honor be given to Immanuel Lutheran Church and specified towards its audio-visual needs. Donations in honor of Ken for the family can be made to the Kenneth Bladow Memorial Fund at any branch of US Bank. Service Information