HANSEN, Kenneth Arnold, Jr.

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Thursday, April 29, 2010 Kenneth Arnold Hansen Jr., 51, of Prescott, Ariz., passed away peacefully on April 26, 2010, at YRMC, with his wife and his friend, Paul Ferrari, by his side. Ken, fondly known around downtown Prescott as "Big Cowboy Ken," was born April 30, 1958, in Los Angeles, Calif. He lived all over California in cities such as Salinas, Santa Cruz, San Jose and Auburn. He also resided in Las Vegas, Nev., Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. and other states and cities throughout the U.S.A. during his adventurous lifetime. He served in the Army in 1975-1976 rescuing POWs (14 total) and earned three purple hearts. He was a construction worker by trade but was a master at any project he worked on. This gentle giant loved his country western music and was a wonderful entertainer when he sang karaoke. He could belt out the songs without the use of a microphone or a need to look at the words. He had planned to start a band of his own some day. He was always the gentleman and greeter to all strangers, continually looking out for others and helping any way he could. He loved children and had a special way with them in spite of what could have been considered a frightening height of 6'5". He will be sorely missed by many for his kindness, compassion, sense of humor and for being an all-around great man. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth Arnold Hansen Sr. and Mary Anne Severino. He is survived by his loving wife, Pamela Custer, who had finally found the love of her life. No local services planned. A memorial potluck will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 2, 2010, at The Drunken Lass downtown Prescott off Gurley Street. Please join us in a celebration of his short but memorable life. Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. Information provided by survivors.