Ken Bishop, 76

Kenny "KO" was born in Malta to Annie (Norheim) and Douglas.

He was the eldest of seven children and that would eventually be the "dismay" and pleasure of his younger siblings.

The family moved to Polson for a short period before settling in Kalispell in 1952, Kenny began to forge out a name for himself as a creative, challenging and adventurous fella, seeking out fun and adventure wherever the Evergreen area could lead him.

When he was a teenager he had various animal ventures, including one where he captured a baby skunk, took it to Doc Newberry and had the scent bag removed (de-fumed, ha ha). This would become his pet, and he would lead this around like a puppy.

As any older sibling would, he would give a good teasing and tickling; or the ultimate dreaded prank of his notorious "typewriter" to the younger brothers and sisters; until they begged for mercy or succumbed to the ultimate goal of wetting their pants.

Then in return if you wanted to join him in adventure or find one of his favorite fishing holes, he would always be willing to show you how to enjoy the outdoors.

He loved tinkering and building; Popular Mechanics was one of his favorite magazines which must have helped hone his mechanical skills while in high school as he took state at the Automotive Mechanics Technical Competition.

Graduating from Flathead he joined the Navy and would use his automotive background in the service working as a jet mechanic.

Of Ken's many hobbies, one included racing Hydroplane race boats on Whitefish Lake when they had the Whitefish Regatta Days Racing, this was when he could find spare time from working with his father in the surveying business.

Then the Alaska oil boom hit, and another adventure called him up.

He made Fairbanks his home and developed his construction company, KO Kan, which grew by being awarded some of the military contracts and his entrepreneur desires. 

This allowed him to further his playtime interests of hunting and fishing, and all that Alaska had to offer.

Ken always had the desire to fly and routinely did between Alaska, Missouri and Florida.

This helped his Alaska way of life of being a bush pilot and flying wherever he could get into.

With his plane(s) he would also bring supplies and his mechanical skills to any of the many outlying communities in need of help.

Injuries and aging started to catch up to his hard-working body and then the dreaded dementia took over his life. Thankfully his daughter Andrea was able to get to Fairbanks and sort thru this dilemma and was able to find a comfortable care facility in Sitka where he resided until his passing.

Kenny was preceded in death by both parents and brothers, Marty and Jerry.

He is survived by two daughters along with their children.

Brother, Ross and sisters, Sheila, Lorene and Tana.

Many stories will be passed around the family and friend's gatherings and hopefully all will get a smile, chuckle and moist eyes when sharing.

Onward to life's next great adventure, 

Love Ya KO