Kenneth Breckenridge February 25, 1918 - March 1, 2012 On Thursday, March 1, 2012, while traveling on an all-day adventure aboard snow coaches in Yellowstone National Park, 94-year-old Kenneth Breckenridge, left us on his final journey. Ken was walking around the West Thumb Geyser Basin, waiting for Old Faithful when he was called home to his maker. Always an adventurer, with a zest for travel, Ken was a Travel Guide for over 29 years with Frontier Tours and Talbot Tours. Every year since 1942, Ken took his family to boat, fish, and camp at Bucks Lake, California. A pioneer at heart, he eagerly looked forward to spending time at Bucks, enjoying family and catching many large trout including a 6-lb German Brown. Ken was born on February 25, 1918, in North Bend, Oregon. The sixth and youngest son of Harry Clarke Breckenridge and Dessie Starr Linder-Breckenridge. In late 1922, Ken's family moved from Oregon to San Francisco, CA., living temporarily in old China town with friends of his father. The family then later moved to Oakland, CA, where he grew up. Ken met the love of his life, Alice, while roller skating at a rink in Oakland, CA. After a six month courtship, on August 31, 1936, they took the electric train ride to Sacramento, CA, where they were married. Their first home was in Berkeley, CA. In late 1936 they moved to an apartment (it is still there) on Napa Street in Vallejo, CA. They went on to build their home in 1940 just before welcoming first daughter, Elaine. In March of 1944, they welcomed second daughter, Carol. Ken was a Vallejo resident for 76 years. Ken was a very talented, inventive, handy man--a jack of all trades so to speak. He started his work career at 14 years old, delivering flowers for his oldest brother, Harry, who had a florist shop near the entrance of Montclair Cemetery in Oakland, CA. He went on to deliver furniture, be a painter, and worked retail at Sears. When WW II broke out, he worked in Naval Supply at Mare Island Shipyard. In 1943, the Army called him up but the Navy intervened and Mare Island kept him. The Naval Supply unit at Mare Island was a critical part of the war effort for Pacific fleet. His expertise was needed more for loading much needed supplies for the Naval warships. In the 1950's, he was a volunteer Fireman for Vallejo Fire Department. In 1953, He became an Apprentice Electrician in the IBEW #180 Union, Vallejo, holding various official positions prior to his retirement. Ken was President of the IBEW #180 Retired Electricians when he passed. Ken's life was always influenced by music. His mother, Dessie, was a piano teacher. When he was 4-years-old, Ken was called upon to help his mother at church. He would pump the pump organ so she could play for funerals in Junction City, Oregon. At the end of the service, this hand pump organ would be placed on a horse driven wagon. The wagon was then driven to the cemetery so his mother could play for the graveside interment services. Ken's music connection continued with more than 55 years as a member of the Community Presbyterian Church Choir. Ken enjoyed singing and was also a member of the original Vallejo Choral Society. He and wife Alice belonged to the Bay Area Pipe Organ Society, going all over the Bay Area to hear pipe organ concerts. They were involved in early Mira Theater musical productions and always supported community musical and fine arts venues.
Ken is survived by daughters, Elaine A. Tiernan and Carol L. Senate. Grandchildren: Andrea Tiernan-Pollack(Riki); Collin K. Tiernan; Charlene Senate-Burcham(Stephen); Eric W. Senate; and Ryan P. Senate. Great grandchildren: Breanna J. Senate; Zachary R. Senate; Nathaniel S. Burcham; Miranda J. Burcham; and Skyelar A. Pollack. Ken was preceded in death, by his wife of over 71 years, Alice E. Bulger-Breckenridge, parents Harry C. and Dessie Breckenridge as well as brothers: Harry, Fred, George, Raymond, and Ernest Breckenridge. The Neptune Society and out of state arrangements were handled by Mckague's Valley Mortuary in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
A Memorial Celebration of Ken's life will be held at 11 a.m. on March 23, 2012 at the Community Presbyterian Church, 2800 Georgia Street, Vallejo, CA 94591. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Salvation Army or charity of your choice.
