Ken was born on February 24,1949, in Lake Village, Arkansas, to William Jasper and Octa Fox Burris. In 1957, his family moved to Madera, California where he graduated high school in 1967. Immediately after, Ken enlisted in the Army, serving his country for 18 years which included 2 voluntary tours of duty in Vietnam.
While stationed at Ft. Riley, Kansas, in 1975, Ken met and married Doris Gipson, his first true love. Just five days after their wedding, he was heartbroken as she passed away and joined God. Ken carried her in his heart for the rest of his life.
Ken was a born again Christian with a heart the size of Texas. He was known for his immense generosity, always eager to help those less fortunate. He often said that “giving” was his spiritual gift, and it truly was.
Beyond his service and faith, Ken was an accomplished pianist, an avid fisherman, and a published author and poet frequently using the pen-name Stuart Masters.
Ken was preceded in death by his first wife, Doris, his parents, a sister, two brothers and a grandchild.
He is survived by his three children Sharon, Phillip and Teresa, seven grandchildren the eldest being Isabel, all residing in WA state. Also surviving him are his sister, Carol Grizzle, and her husband Jon of Paris, TX.; nephew Kyle Queen and his wife Sheila; his longtime friend and fellow veteran Herb Kimmelman of Chula Vista, CA and good friend and fellow author Glenna Jarvis of Chowchilla, CA whom he regarded as family.
Despite a life marked by heartache, Ken embraced the joy he found through God and his family, often echoing Louis Armstrong’s sentiment: “What a wonderful world.”
