Kenneth James Alford

Oct 17, 2023

March 4, 1930 — October 13, 2023

Kenneth James Alford passed away on Friday, October 13, 2023, at home. His is the story of a life of service well-lived. Ken’s life was devoted first to his Savior and his family, but also to his nation and his community. The gospel of Jesus Christ was always the foundation of his life. He was blessed with a unique ability to make lasting friends and establish a meaningful rapport with everyone he met.

Ken was born in Ogden on March 4, 1930, to James William and Anelda Mae Allen Alford. After attending Mound Fort Elementary and Junior High School, he graduated from Ogden High School (1948), Weber College (AA degree, 1950), Brigham Young University (BA degree, 1955), and the University of Utah (Ed.S. degree, 1973).

He married the absolute love of his life, Dolores Jeanette Hawkeswood, in the Salt Lake Temple on September 16, 1953. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last month surrounded by family. Their marriage was blessed with four children: Kenneth Lowell (Sherilee, deceased), Linda Joye (Jerry) Evans, Pamela (Ron) Smith, and Douglas James (Pakaket). They have 14 grandchildren and 47 great-grandchildren.

A lifelong and faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ken served two full-time missions–first in Uruguay-Paraguay (1950-53), being the fifth missionary to serve in Paraguay, and then in southern Spain with his sweetheart (1991-92). He was the first stake president of the newly created Ogden Utah Mount Lewis Stake. He served at various times as a bishop, bishopric counselor, high councilor, stake executive secretary, temple ordinance worker, gospel doctrine teacher, and Institute teacher. Two of his favorite Church callings were those he held at the time of his passing–serving as a temple sealer since 1993 (he completed two regular temple shifts during the last week of his life) and as an English and Spanish-language patriarch since 1994. He gave 1,325 patriarchal blessings–almost half of them in Spanish.

He had a positive and long-lasting influence on thousands of students in Ogden City Schools where he served thirty years as a history and geography teacher, assistant principal, principal of Hillcrest Elementary School, principal of Central Junior High School, principal of Mount Ogden Junior High School, and on the district staff. He was a charter member of the Ogden Schools District Foundation.

His service to the nation included thirty-five years as a U.S. Air Force Reserves officer, retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 1990. He served as a navigator on WB-50, C-119, and C-124 aircraft in the 733 Troop Carrier Squadron and 945 Military Airlift Group at Hill Air Force Base. He was recalled to active duty during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis and flew numerous missions over several decades to Vietnam, the Philippines, Guam, Wake Island, Hawaii, and Europe.

Always a proactive advocate for Ogden, his civic contributions included serving six years in the Utah State House of Representatives from District 7, eight years on the Ogden City Council (four of those years as Council Chairman), several years as a member of the Ogden City Planning Commission, and as President of the Ogden Pioneer chapter of the Sons of Utah Pioneers. He was also a founding member of the Hill Aerospace Museum Board.

He is preceded in death by his parents, a sister (Glenda Dalton), and a brother (Dale). He is survived by one brother, Robert, and one sister, Geri Patchett.

Viewings will be held from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Friday, 20 October and 9:00-10:00 on Saturday, 21 October 2023, at the Ogden Utah Mount Lewis Stake Center, 1150 North Monroe, Ogden, Utah.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, 21 October 2023 at the Ogden Utah Mount Lewis Stake Center, 1150 North Monroe, Ogden, Utah. Funeral services will be streamed for those who would like to attend virtually. For a streaming link and to leave condolences for the family, please visit www.myers-mortuary.com.

Interment will take place at Evergreen Memorial Park following the funeral service.

Arrangements entrusted to Myers Mortuary, 845 Washington Blvd., Ogden.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to the Humanitarian Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, https://philanthropies.churchofjesuschrist.org/humanitarian-services/.