Kenneth Arnold Martinez
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The Martinez family is saddened to announce that Ken Martinez passed away at the age of 87 on June 5, 2023, at Bridge Haven/Madel’s House. He was born July 31, 1935, in Gunnison, CO , the son of Frank L. and Marie Jemma (Bellino) Martinez. He was the third child with an older brother Edmund and sister, Kathy. Baby Nedra arrived 13 years later.
Ken graduated from Marysville High School and attended Emporia State Teachers College before serving in the Army from 1955-57. He earned a B.S. in Science Education (1960), M.S. in Educational Administration (1966) and EdD in Curriculum and Instruction/Special Education (1971) from KU. He worked in the education field several years before joining a consulting firm in Rosslyn, VA as Vice President for Research.
He and Sheila Olsen Kocher were married at Danforth Chapel at The University of Kansas Campus and would have celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary on June 19. The couple was blessed with a daughter, Aimee Cristina, who is a Psychoanalyst in Los Angeles. He is survived by Sheila and Aimee, Edmund, and Nedra as well as sisters- and brothers-in-law, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
In 1979 Ken and Sheila founded A-S-K. Associates, Inc., a consulting firm with two divisions providing Conference and Meeting Management and IT Support Services throughout the nation and abroad. He served as CEO until his retirement in 2014. He won various awards during his career and shared his leadership skills with civic organizations. He led the Lawrence Chamber’s Small Business Committee and served as chair of boards for Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center and Lawrence Memorial Hospital. He also served as a member of the Lied Center Advisory Board and was chair of the Douglas County Republican Party as well chair of Kansas Hispanic Republicans. He was a delegate to the GOP national convention in 1984 and a member of Leadership Kansas.
Music was always a part of Ken … he sang and played trumpet during his school years and operated Kenny Martinez and His Orchestra. His group of twelve musicians played for civic, school and college functions. His love of jazz was evident in his stories of jazz greats, including attending a Gene Krupa performance at the Metropole in NYC , and by his library of recordings.
A memorial service will be held at Plymouth Congregational Church in Lawrence on Friday, June 16 at 4:00 p.m. The family will greet friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Bella Sera Condominiums, 4500 Bob Billings Parkway, Lawrence, KS 66049.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations supporting the Ken and Sheila Martinez Scholarship for the KU School of Education and Human Sciences, Lawrence Memorial Hospital or Lawrence Visiting Nurses Association may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
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Sheila thinking of you. Prayers for you & your daughter.
Sending love to Aimee and Sheila during this difficult time and always 🫶🏽
Sending you love and support, Aimee. So sorry for your loss.
What a full and meaningful life he lived. Sending love.
Sheila, thinking of you. Ken had such an impact in all aspects of his life. This community and world is a better place thanks to Ken.
I am so sorry to hear of Ken’s passing and I hope you won’t mind me passing on a story about Ken the educator. I attended Baldwin High School, class of ’67. Ken was our high school principal. By the beginning of the second semester of our senior year Mr. Martinez decided he would teach us chemistry as it had never been offered at BHS. Six of us agreed to make arrangements to stay after school most weekdays to learn chemistry, most of us took the bus to school so it was with some effort that we did this. Unfortunately when April rolled around the three males of the group were expected to participate in track which of course met after school each day. Since they were seniors and talented athletes, they had to choose track. Of course there were no female sports until at least 5 years after we graduated but offering the class to just us three girls wasn’t to be. If I’m honest, chemistry was really getting hard so although disappointed not to finish I have to admit I was rather relieved. I always admired the fact that Mr. Martinez was willing to give his time and knowledge so freely to us. I’m sorry he did not continue in education and see it as education’s loss but am gladdened to hear how wonderfully successful his life was.
Sending you my love and deepest sympathy, Sheila. You and your family are in my prayers.
My sincere sympathy and love are being sent your way, Sheila.
Prayers for you, Sheila,
as you face this loss. May you and your family find strength and hope as you move forward.
Sending hugs and love to you. Will be thinking of you even more. Hope to see you again when all settles down.
He sounds like a wonderful man, Sheila! So very sorry for your loss. Love and prayers for comfort and peace to you and Aimee, as you prepare to send Ken home. God’s blessings to you all..
Sincere condolences to you, Sheila, and to your family. May God grant you the strength to endure this loss as you face the future which is forever changed. 🙏🏻🎶
Our sympathy to you, Sheila, on the loss of Ken. We will keep you in our prayers for comfort and peace. Ken sounds like a terrific man. I wish we could have known him.
My deepest sympathy to you Sheila. You are held close in thought and love.
Corky
Sending my love to Sheila and her family. My deepest sympathy to you all. Love you Sheila. Sally.
Dear Sheila,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you grieve the loss of your wonderful husband. He achieved so much in his lifetime and together, you do so much good. God bless you. May he rest well with the Lord.
Sheila & Aimee,
My heart is broken in the loss of your precious
Husband and Father. Godspeed as you traverse the difficult days forward. You’re both so special to me.
Sending my condolences to you and your family Sheila.
Sending love to you and Aimee. What a wonderful man.
So sorry for your loss, Sheila, but glad he is finally at peace.. May your memories of him in his prime remain with you forever.
My sympathy to you and your family. Prayers and hugs being sent your way today and in the days ahead.
Thinking of you during this difficult time, Sheila. Sending you my love & sympathy.
Dear Sheila, So sorry for your loss. Love and prayers for you and Aimee. ❤️🙏
Warren and I are so saddened by this news. We are sending prayers for you and Aimee. We feel so fortunate to have known Ken.
Sheila- Dick and I send you and Aimee our sympathy and prayers in your loss of Ken. We share fond memories of our times together with Ken enjoying jazz, friendship and the love of harmony. Ken’s remarkable achievements in his educational pursuits and his leadership skills in all he committed to during his lifetime are wonderful memories to cherish. May Ken’s soul now rest in peace. With love, Helen and Dick
I’m so sorry to hear of your husband’s passing. All of your Sweet Adeline Queens will be thinking of you.
Prayers of peace and comfort going up for you and your family, Sheila. Much love to you all.
Sending you prayers for comfort and wonderful memories of this wonderful man, Sheila!
Thinking of you and Aimee at this difficult time. Sending hugs and love to both of you❤️🙏🏻❤️!
So sorry to hear of the passing of Ken. My thoughts are with you and family.
Dear Sheila,
I am holding you and Aimee in The Light in your time of sorrow. Hugs and Love,
Tina Post
So sorry to hear of your loss, Sheila. Sending condolences and comforting love to you and Aimee!
I knew Ken as a neighbor at Bella Sera. We have a beautiful community here: kind, helpful, friendly. Ken, of blessed memory, fit right in.
After a long illness the Lawrence community lost a very substantial citizen in Kenneth Martinez on June 5, 2023. He was a very intelligent hard working man, who acquired three degrees in Education, including an Ed D. After working directly in public education a while, he established a profitable business in providing meaningful services to others. He also provided significantly good judgment and guidance to many civic organizations, not the least of which was his service as a Trustee of Lawrence Memorial Hospital during a very challenging time. We extend all our condolences to Sheila and Aimee, who were also in effect his business partners.
Shelia, I’m so grateful I got to meet you and your husband only a few short years ago and only wish I would have known you both sooner. May you find comfort during this time.
Dotti & Clayman-Cook & Lonny,
Knowing and coming to love you Aimee as Frank did I understand why you are you now that I am reading about Ken. My heart breaks for you now understanding your origins. His memory will always be there to guide you through your life.. you will never be without him in your heart. Frank would have wanted to know him as well because so much of him is you. All our love Is with you.
Suzy Gaunt Weisman. I loved working for ASK both at Ft Stewart and at your main office. Ken was a great boss and so friendly. I think of you both! I ended working for Dept of Defense and am retired as is my husband and we are living in a retirement community in West Columbia. I hope all is well with you Sheila but am happy that Ken is safe with God- sorry he had that long illness. Weismanhg@bellsouth.net.
Sheila,
My sincere sympathy to you on the loss of Ken. I served with him on the Lawrence Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees during a challenging time. He was a very committed and thoughtful trustee.
Shelia and Aimee, I was so sorry to hear of the of a spouse and father. Ken did so much for the Lawrence community; he will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.