KENNETH CHESLEY, FUHS '54

Mike Johnson, FUHS '58, and Jerry Scott, FUHS '55, both sent me news about Ken. I will be looking for his obituary in the Register. (See the Register obituary below published on 3/19/2008.)

Mike wrote in several different messages:
It is with deep regreat to announce the passing of Kenneth M. Chesly FUHS Class of 54 on March 14th, 2008. Our sympahy goes out to his beloved wife Dawn and sisters Ann and Carole.
I was sitting with him at good old boys lunch yesterday!!!
I heard he and Dawn were out for a walk and he just dropped dead- heart or stroke. He looked good yesterday.

Scott wrote:
Hi All,
Sad news. Wayne Collins called me this afternoon. Our friend Kenny Chestley, passed away yesterday afternoon. Wayne and I had lunch with him and others at Hero's in Fullerton yesterday. The last thing I said to him was "see you at the Pow Wow", we shook hands and said see you later.

Message to Mike Johnson:

Thank you Mike, looking back makes the time with Ken so meaningful.
Please send email to all regarding the service which will be

11AM Saturday, March 22 at Yorba Linda Friends Chapel

(Obituary from the Register)

Kenneth Chesley Chesley, Kenneth, 72, of Fullerton, passed away on March 14, 2008.

For service information please go to newopt.com or call (714) 528 7100.

To send a favorite memory or condolence to the family locate Ken's name on the website quicklink. New Options Funeral Service, Inc.

Published in the Orange County Register on 3/19/2008.
Guest Book (This guest book will be available until 4/18, 2008.)

Hot link to the New Options beautiful web page and guest book:

http://newopt.com/memorybook.aspx?memorybookid=80#mbContentColumn

(I don't know how long this web page and guest book will be online.)

(Obituary from the New Options web site)

Kenneth Chesley
Born
April 8, 1935 Fullerton, California
Passed Away
March 14, 2008 Fullerton, California
Service
Sat. March 22, 2008 11:00 AM
Yorba Linda Friends Church
Yorba Linda, California
Officiant
Pastor Bob Noonan
Interment
Riverside National Cemetery
Riverside, California
Ken was born on April 8th, 1935 to Kenneth H. and Margaret (Prizer) Chesley.
He married Dawn Carroll on August 8th, 1959. They had 6 children: Kenneth H. Chesley of Fullerton, Daeleen Chesley of Washington D.C., Renee’ Chesley Withers of Oregon, Erin Chesley Pagliaro of Missouri, Michal Chesley Molett of California and Cameron Chesley of California.
Ken graduated from Fullerton Union High School in 1954.
He went into the Army Airborne 101st division and played football for the Army.
After leaving the Army he attended Fullerton Jr. College where he continued to play football. He also made life at the college interesting for many!
Ken married Dawn Carroll, the love of his life, on August 8th, 1959. They moved to Los Angeles where Ken finished his degree at Woodbury Business College while also working for the family business, Chesley Transportation & Crane Service. At the same time he met some great guys that encouraged him to play football with them in LA. He had an incredible time continuing to play the game he loved.
He was then introduced to the game of Rugby and knew he had found his 2nd true love (Dawn being his 1st). He played with the Norwalk Rugby Club until he started the Fullerton Rugby Club. The team played rugby most every weekend for 14 years and raised their families together both on and off the field. He continued to have lifelong relationships with those Rugby brothers.
Ken became a Born Again Christian in 1970. This increased his circle of friends and people that he was close to and considered family.
Ken moved his family to Ontario, Oregon in 1970, where they had a whole lot of “Green Acres” to experience. Someone really should have written a book! If you ever want a really good laugh just ask Dawn or one of the kids to tell you a farm story!
Ken and Dawn moved back to Southern California in 1985 with Michal and Cameron. Ken went to work for Bragg Crane Company and worked there until he quit in 2005. After he left the job he continued to maintain relationships with his work buddies.
Ken loved his family first and foremost. He was very proud of all of his children and loved to visit them often.