Kenneth ‘Ken’ Edwin Colyn, age 74, passed away peacefully at Whatcom Hospice House, Bellingham, Washington on May 30, 2023, after a long month of unexpected health complications.  He was born June 4, 1948, in Everett, WA to Cornelius and Jessie (De Jong) Colyn.  He was the youngest child, with two older sisters.  The family attended Everett Christian Reformed Church.  At an early age, he worked as a caddy for the Everett Golf Course, saving enough to buy his own set of clubs from the pro shop.  It was then that he began golfing.  Ken and his friends also liked to go duck hunting, which would make his mom worry, coming home so late after sunset.  He played basketball in high school.  He graduated from Watson Groen in 1966.  Soon after, Ken became interested in carpentry.  He enrolled in Everett Community College for two years where he obtained a Carpentry Certification.  In 1968, Ken joined the U.S. Air Force.

Ken met Edna Lee Kauber, of Burlington, WA in 1969.  After a short time of dating, they married August 29, of the same year.  Ken was sent to Lackland Air Force Base and they began their married life in San Antonio, Texas.  Their first child, a daughter, Melissa (Missy) was born in 1970.  Ken started working in construction upon returning to Burlington.  In 1976, his first son, Derek was born.  He worked hard at his job, being able to purchase five acres in North Burlington (Alger) and in 1978, built their current family home.  He and his family attended Alger Christian Reformed Church, where he taught young men in the Cadet Club, was a Deacon, an Elder and helped build the church parsonage and church community room.  He was an advocate on land surveys, spending countless hours seeing that properties were correct in their markings and rightful ownership given.  In 1982, his second son, Chris was born.  Ken was a member of the Carpenter’s Union and worked for many companies, crafting his skill.  His jobs took him near and far within the state, working on schools, libraries, bridges, restaurants, grocery stores, homes and the occasional request for help from family or friends.  When he wasn’t working or up keeping his own property, Ken loved to take his boys camping and fishing with their friends and with the Dempsey family.  He loved Sunday drives, an occasional Johnny Cash song, flannel shirts, pie and ice cream with nuts (so the kids wouldn’t eat it!)  In Ken’s retirement years, he became a deep thinker and more of a conversationalist.  He attended CTK Burlington Church.  He enjoyed going out to morning coffee and the bakery with his friends.  He loved connecting with his sons and son-in-law over his team, the Seahawks.  When his grandsons would visit, he would hit golf balls with them or engage in a game of Yahtzee.  He enjoyed watching his granddaughter at school events as well as going out to breakfast with her.  His favorite Bible verse was Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Ken is survived by his wife, Lee Colyn of Burlington; daughter, Melissa (Danny) McBride and their daughter, Maya of Burlington; son, Derek of Seattle; son, Chris (Pauline) and their sons, Aiden and Jacob of San Diego, CA; sisters, Marilyn (Duane) Proppe of San Antonio, TX and Jean (Will) Bultje of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; half-sister, Arlene Triezenberg of Everett, WA; brother-in-laws, James (Malou) Kauber of Virginia Beach, VA., Frank (Margaret) Kauber of Grapevine, TX and Mark (Lilian) Kauber of San Diego, CA; many nieces and nephews and extended family in Lynden, WA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Cornelius and Jessie Colyn, of Everett; father-in-law and mother-in-law Bill and Melba Kauber of Burlington; half-brother, John Colyn (Katherine) of Sunnyside; half-sister, Jeanette (Bill) Winters of Tennessee; half brother-in-law, Mel Triezenberg of Everett.

A time of visitation will be available from 9-5 on Friday, June 9 at Lemley Chapel, 1008 Third Street, Sedro-Woolley, WA and a Memorial Service will be held at 2:00, Saturday, June 10 at Alger Community Church, 1475 Silver Run Lane., Bellingham, WA.  His final resting place will be the Green Hills Cemetery, Burlington, WA.  Memorials are suggested to the Lighthouse Mission Ministries, P.O. Box 548, Bellingham, WA 98227.  Share your memories of Ken and sign the online guest register.