Page created by: The Courtright Family

Ken was born November 12, 1937 to Carroll and Maxine (Reeve) Courtright at the rural family farm near Albion, Michigan (the home later declared a Centennial Farm, owned by the Courtright family for 100 years). He attended a one-room schoolhouse for the first eight grades, finishing in six years. He went on to graduate from Springport HS in 1954 at the age of 16. Back in country school at age 11, his school played a neighboring school in softball one day, where he met the new girl Judy Dowding; there was never another girl for Ken.

He entered the Air Force at age 17, and became an "In-Flight Refueling Specialist" (Boom Operator) on KC-97 and KC-135 refueling aircraft, declaring it the "best job in the Air Force."

He retired in 1976 as Senior Master Sergeant, returning to the home he'd built on East Bass Lake, Gwinn.

For the next 10 years he worked as Service Manager for Morrow Marine in Gwinn, where he got to work on (and play with) his favorite things with motors: snowmobiles, snow blowers, outboard motors, lawn mowers.

Ken was a Life Member of the Gwinn VFW Post 5670; an active member of the Forsyth Snowmobile Club especially grooming the trails, and of the Gwinn United Methodist Church where he was the Chairman of Trustees through many major church renovations. Ken was a supporter of the arts, especially the Gwinn High School Drama Club and the Marquette Symphony.

He married his childhood sweetheart Judy on June 22, 1957, and through the years they shared many activities including square dancing, snowmobiling, water skiing, boating, and life at the lake. He enjoyed hunting and fishing in his younger days, and eagerly anticipated going to "deer camp" with his Gwinn friends. Ken and Judy enjoyed traveling to class and squadron reunions, and attending the many events of their children and grandchildren. Special memories include an Appalachian Trail hike, an Alaskan adventure and visiting Isle Royale with his family. Ken will be lovingly remembered for his countless hours piloting his boats, his evening martini, and his hearty laugh.

Ken, aged 79, passed away peacefully after a 16 year battle with Parkinson's Disease on Friday, July 7, 2017, at the Jacobetti Home for Veterans, with his wife at his side.