Wasco Memorial Park-92-D

Obituary

 

Kenneth Alvin Nicol at just 2 lbs. was born in Altadena, CA on February 16th, 1932, a twin whose brother was deceased, to Walter Elliott and Madaline Vanetta Nicol. The depression prompted the family to move to Shafter to begin share crop farming when he was just a year old. As a youngster he milked cows and fed the chickens before school. Ken attended Maple School and joined Maple Boy Scout Troop 34 with several of his classmates where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He remained active in Explorer Scouts as he attended Wasco High and attended the Boy Scouts National Jamboree of 1950 in Washington DC. Later on, he became Troop Master of Wasco 956 helping a new generation enjoy scouting. Ken with his class of 1950 built the concrete bench still present along 7th street. Upon graduation he enlisted in the US Navy where he was assigned to communications serving on a sea plane tender before shore duty in Japan. While there Ken was afforded the opportunity to visit the site of the atomic bomb blast at Nagasaki. He completed his naval duty on the carrier York Town seeing it to dry dock in Washington where he was discharged. Ken returned to the farm in Shafter and began working with his father farming. At that time, he attended a young singles group at a church in Bakersfield. There he met Sandra Bailey a science teacher at East Bakersfield HS. They were married in 1958 and enjoyed time in the outdoors hiking, fishing and looking at wildflowers over their 65-year marriage. Kenneth is the father of three children, Dale, Caroline and Gregory who enjoyed many family trips camping. Ken had two additional passions in life. One was sailing first his Lido 14 and later his Catalina 22 sailboats. He also enjoyed his restored 1929 Model A roadster pickup which was a basket case he picked up and brought back from Nebraska. Ken passed away peacefully at home June 30th, 2023 at the age of 91. He was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Madaline Nicol, his brother Donald and his grandson Nicolas. He is survived by His sister Norma, his wife Sandra, and all three children along with grandchildren Elliott, Ethan and Madeline Nicol, Garth, Cody and Bailey Nicol, Sidney and Bailey Russell. He is also survived by three great grandchildren, Jenna Aseltine, and Jordy and Drew Nicol. He will be laid to rest at the Wasco Memorial Park; a graveside committal will be held July 8, 2023, beginning at 10:00am.