The family of Kenneth John "Ken" Calderwood, which includes our own PGR member Mike Cash from Ridgecrest, has invited the Patriot Guard Riders to take Ken on his last ride to his final resting place, we would be honored to do so.
Ken Calderwood was born December 24, 1925 in Whitter, CA, he grew up in Whitter attending local schools and graduated from Orange Union High School. He was drafted into the U.S. Navy his senior year in high school.
Ken served in the U.S. Navy from March 20, 1944 until his honorable discharge on May 7, 1946. He served during WWII as a Radio Technician.
After his time in the military he returned to school, attending Junior college first at Chaffey College in Ontario, CA then transferred to California Polytechnic College in San Luis Obispo, CA where he graduated in 1951. In 1967 he received a Certificate in Business Management for Technical Personnel from University of California Los Angeles.
Ken worked for the Navy as a civilian engineer in Corona and then at China Lake Naval Air Weapons Center. He was a Supervisory Electronics Engineer, received regular promotions as he worked on the fuses of guided missiles, and enjoyed explaining that his part in protecting his country was the part that made missiles “go boom”. He retired in 1993.
Ken, coming from a farming background, built a small tractor that he used to level the property and landscape the yard in one of his homes. His garage was full of tools and electronic gadgets that he loved to tinker with. Inventing and creating were his life and he was a very industrious man.
Ken met his first wife, Phyllis, while finishing his engineering degree and they were married June 7, 1952. They were blessed with their four children. Sadly, Phyllis developed cancer and passed away in October 1972. Ken was introduced to his second wife, Norma, by friends. They were married on February 8, 1975 and enjoyed a great life together for 44 years. They enjoyed being involved in the Church of the Nazarene and traveling all over the United States and the world. Ken was often on the Board of Trustees in the Nazarene Churches they attended.
Ken passed away at home in the arms of his wife on May 6, 2019. He is survived by his loving wife Norma, four children, Beverly, Carolyn, John and Edward, 7 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Ken dearly loved his famiy and will forever be missed by them all along with his many friends.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran. For those interested, and all are welcome, we will be accompanying the hero and his family from the mortuary to his final resting place, approx 45 miles. Please see the time table if you would like to participate. For those who would rather go directly to the cemetery, we will meet you there.
Time table for Saturday, 01 JUN 19:0830 - Stage at Miller Jones Mortuary, 26770 Murrieta Rd., Sun City, CA 92585
https://goo.gl/maps/H5ixWruSQ5zHSPTQ60845 - Mission briefing
0900 - Flag Line for dignified transfer of Hero to coach
0915 - KSU to Bellevue Memorial Park, 1240 W. "G" St., Ontario, CA 91762
https://goo.gl/maps/JFX9qj81Cg3K9tfB81030 - Est arrival at cemetery
1100 - Flag Line and Military Honors at graveside
R/C Steve "Taz" George
So Cal PGR Ride Captainsghdbeast@gmail.com
714-931-3950 cell
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. Everyone is welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
