Kenneth F. Spann

Kenneth Frederick Spann, 94, of Hamilton passed away Wednesday, March 13th, 2014 at home with his loving wife of 70 years by his side, Emogene Elizabeth Spann. Kenneth was born January 19, 1920 in Bassett, Nebraska to Martin and Dora Kelly. Kenny graduated from Rock County High School in 1937. In September of 1938 he enrolled in Wayne State Teachers College at Wayne, Nebraska, where he took a pre-engineering course and played football, earning a varsity letter in his sophomore year. Ken often said that the best thing that happened to him at Wayne State was meeting and dating his future wife, Emogene E. (Jean) Waring, a lovely young lady from Albion, Nebraska. After two years at Wayne State he volunteered for the Army Air Corps Flying Cadet Program and was called to active duty in August of 1942. Ken was selected for the pilot training program, receiving his training in various facilities in the southeastern part of the country, and graduated from Flight School in May of 1943 at Spence Field, Moultrie, Georgia. Ken had just received his wings and commission as a Second Lieutenant. He was assigned as a flight instructor at a Basic Flying School at Gunter Field, Montgomery, Alabama. Jean had been teaching school in Nebraska but came down to Montgomery and they were married on June 5, 1943 at St John's Episcopal Church, Montgomery, Alabama. Ken spent the next two years at Montgomery as flight instructor and was attending Transition Training for an overseas assignment when the war ended and Ken was discharged in September of 1945. He then enrolled in the Engineering College at the University of Nebraska and graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. Ken received a job offer from Boeing in Seattle, Washington and Ken and Jean packed up and headed west for their move to Washington. During his early years in Washington Ken and Jean had a son, Thomas Frederick born April 6, 1951, Ken also volunteered as a fire fighter for nine years. Ken and Jean settled in Everett, Washington on 20 acres and also raised Blue Ribbon Mink during the 1960's, the farm was known as Spann's Mink Ranch, also known as the "Fur and Fir Ranch" as Ken, Jean, and Tom had planted over 2000 Douglas Fir seedlings for Christmas Trees. Ken later logged those trees. They enjoyed a large garden, orchard and lots of trees for firewood. Ken retired after 33 years at Boeing in July of 1981. During the period he worked for Boeing he was assigned to various engineering projects and staff groups on programs that included the B-47 and B-52 Bombers, the Minuteman Missile System, the 707, 727, 737, 747 and 767 Commercial Aircraft Programs. Ken designed the 737 re-fueling system and was the head of the re-fueling program. He spent 10 years on the 747 program and it was his favorite of all of the Boeing airplanes. Ken was active in Tae Kwon Do and received his Black Belt in October of 1993 at the age of 70. Ken and Jean sold their Mink Ranch and moved to the Bitterroot Valley in April of 1999. Ken enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping in the 5th wheel throughout the US and was very fond of the Salton Sea area in California. They have also enjoyed traveling to the Orient. He was preceded in death by his parents Martin F and Dora Kelly and four brothers, Chantry, Mark, Charles and Ralph. Ken is survived by his wife Emogene (Jean) Elizabeth, celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary in 2013, (son) Thomas Frederick, (sister-in-law)Leona Spann of Bassett, NE, (sister-in-law)Maude Spann of Salem, OR,(sister-in-law) Jo Spann of Lancaster NE, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.