Kenneth Arden Lockett

Ken Lockett passed peacefully on June 13, 2016, at his home, surrounded by his wife and children. A joyful memorial will be held at Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Funeral Home on Saturday, June 18, at 1 p.m. to celebrate a wondrous, hard-working, spirited life, with a reception immediately following at the Barbey Maritime Center. Graveside services will be held in Elgin, Oregon, in the near future.

Ken was born in La Grande, Oregon, on April 1, 1931, the second son of Arden Carman and Gwendolyn Bell Lockett. Ken was one of seven children, and spent his early years in La Grande watching the wonder of steam locomotives when trains were at the peak of the transportation industry.

His early schooling was in La Grande, Oregon, before moving to Athena, Oregon, in third grade and went on to participate in football and Future Farmers of America, and developed friendships he cherished to the end. Ken’s family moved to Elgin, Oregon, for the final two years of his high school experience, where met the love of his life, Nancy Ann Nedrow. They were married on July 20, 1951, and built a foundation of love that lasted a lifetime.

Ken and Nancy’s early years were spent in Elgin, Milton-Freewater and Lewiston, Idaho. Ken valued friendship and family above all else, and loved to take the family on vacations to the Oregon Coast. After one of these vacations the family made a decision, and in 1964 Ken packed up the family and moved to Astoria.

Ken opened up Ken’s Shell station and spent every Sunday on drives with the family he loved, exploring the Oregon Coast and learning about the historical significance of the area. Ken loved his adopted city of Astoria, and a large part of his and Nancy’s life was spent volunteering and making this a better place for everyone.

As the children grew and left home, Ken joined the Lions Club, and the club and group became his second family. He received numerous awards, but prized most the Melvin Jones Fellow and Norman Ross Fellow from the Lions, and the George Award from the Astoria Warrenton Chamber of Commerce.

Ken’s passions were planes, trains and automobiles. His career was defined for the most part by his work in the auto industry. He loved to fly, and got his pilot’s license by flying with Freddy at the Astoria Airport. This greatly expanded his area of exploration. Ken loved the Old 300 (Astoria Trolley). He was active in the restoration, maintenance and motoring the Astoria Riverfront Trolley. You could not be a guest at his house without a ride on the trolley. Ken was honored in 2012 as “The Trolley Guy,” and was pictured on the label of Rogue Brewery’s Trolley Guy beer.

Ken was a masterful storyteller, and his friends and family learned who Ken was through his tales from the past. Family delighted in reunions at Wallow Lake, Astoria and Maupin listening to tales of growing up during the Depression, and a childhood full of wonder and mischief. Those who knew Ken will remember this best about him. Ken will be missed by all who knew and loved him. His stories will grow in the fertile imagination of our minds as we remember, with love, all that he gave us.

Ken is survived by his wife of 64 years, Nancy, and his five children, Lawrence Lockett (Cheryl), Linda Gill (Bill), Cindy Cederberg (Mark), Sandy Wright (David) and Terry Lockett. Ken had 11 grandchildren, Greg, Wade, Christie, Gunnar, Axel, Adam, Matthew, Kenny, Brandy, Erin and Jennifer; and 12 great-grandchildren, with one more due in July. Ken is also survived by two sisters, Gail Pierce and Judy Kliesh (Chuck); a sister-in-law, Darby Lockett; a brother-in-law, Wes Nedrow; and many loving nieces, nephews and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents and four brothers, Jim, Dud, Rex and Fred.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation or to the Astoria Riverfront Trolley Association.