Kenneth Charles Smith

Ken Smith was born in Beechy Saskatchewan on Feb 6, 1933, the 4th child of Ed and Lillian Smith. Ken grew up as part of a large farming and ranching family in southern SK.   He married Virginia Arntsen in 1958 and over the next 68 years, they lived in many places across western Canada including Swift Current SK, Grand Prairie, Edmonton and Drumheller AB and Vernon, Vancouver, Salmon Arm, Campbell River and Kelowna BC.  

Ken and Virginia were inseparable throughout his life and together they raised 7 children – Brent, Stacey (Wesley), Sheila (Stephen), Andrew (Tami), Bradley (Pam), Steven (Gayle) and Marty (Donna).  

As a young man, Ken was a great cowboy who competed in rodeos as a calf-roper and bronc rider.   He was honoured as president of the Canadian Cowboys Association. Ken was also a fine musician who, as a young man, played guitar and fiddle in the country halls around his hometown.   He had a rich baritone singing voice and continued to sing and fiddle throughout his life.  

After he hung up his spurs, he studied plumbing at a trade school in Saskatoon, becoming a journeyman in Swift Current.   Then in 1972, he took his large young family and moved to Vernon BC where he started and ran his own company: KC’s Plumbing and Heating.   

In these years, aside from raising a family and running a business, Ken served the community as a hockey and baseball coach.   And after retirement he became an avid golfer.  

Ken was beloved, not only by his wife and children but by his 24 grandchildren and 16 (so far) great grandchildren.   His warmth and calmness made him a magnet for children (and dogs) and he loved having them near.   

Ken was admitted to hospital on Feb 8 after a fall at home.   He had just celebrated his 93rd birthday surrounded by family and friends where he sang one of his favourites ’Out On The Myra’.   He is survived, and will be dearly missed, by his wife, Virginia, his 7 children – and a host of other family members and friends.

Arrangements entrusted to

Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services 250-766-4400

Condolences may be expressed to the family by phone or email through Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services: