Kenneth Hathaway
September 2, 1942 — October 29, 2017
Kenneth Evin Hathaway, 75, passed away on October 29, 2017 in St. George, UT at the Dixie Regional Medical Center. Ken was born on September 2, 1942 in Washington DC to Iredell Augustus and Ethel Margene (Voshell) Hathaway. He married Kathleen Jean (Thomas) Hathaway in Concord, CA on July 17, 1986.
Ken had a wonderful life and he was able to do many of the things he loved. In 1959, Ken joined the United States Navy and became a Certified 1st Class Diver/Bell Diver. Before he left the Navy in 1967, he was selected to work with the Project Mercury Recovery Force, where he specialized in the retrieval of astronauts and spacecraft as they reentered the atmosphere, the most prominent mission being when Commander Alan B. Shepard, JR., USN completed a historic space flight on May 5, 1961. He then studied Architecture at the University of Utah, and upon graduation in 1971, designed several churches as volunteer work. By 1973, Ken graduated from the University of Utah with an Engineering degree and began to work for El Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant. He worked as the Second Lead Engineer in Decontamination. He later left El Diablo to work as a Database Administrator for several different companies before retiring from Browning Arms Company. Ken was a gun enthusiast, and he really enjoyed working for the Browning company. In 2008, Ken went back to school in Ogden, UT and became a Certified Welder and later an instructor. He had a passion for motorcycles, especially Harleys. He also loved politics and studying history.
Ken’s greatest love was his wife Kathleen, who passed away on January 20, 2015. He loved his family and spending time with them. He was known to be firm and resolute. He was loving and had a big heart, and had room for everyone, especially the stray animals of Mesquite. Family was most important.
Ken is survived by his four children; Shawn Hathaway (Ruby), Kimberly Hathaway, Ann Marie Hanley (Rick), and Bryon Cumiford, twelve grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and his two sisters; Joanna Lee Hathaway and Darlene Gray. He is preceded in death by his wife; Kathleen Hathaway, his son; James E. Hathaway, his parents; and his two brothers; Richard and John Hathaway.
The family invites you to leave a message or memory in their “Guest Book” at www.virginvalleymortuary.com.