MOONEY, Kenneth Doyle

The Payson Roundup, Payson, Arizona, Monday, June 01, 2015 Ken Mooney Looking at the life of Ken Mooney, one can see that Ken was a Renaissance Man. Ken loved music, art, and science. Born in Ogden, UT on July 25, 1944, Ken moved with his family to Avondale, AZ in 1950. Ken graduated from Agua Fria High School where he was active in band. After graduating from Arizona State University, Ken taught biology at Shea Middle School. Ken earned his Masters Degree from ASU. Ken and his wife, Brenda, took graduate classes in Hawaii and mainly at Northern Arizona University. Ken loved and excelled at teaching. Always an environmentalist, he organized desert clean-ups with his students. An interest in space sent the Mooneys to workshops with the Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena and Cape Canaveral. Meeting Voyager Scientists and astronauts brought enrichment to Ken's classes. Ken's students honored him with multiple listings in Who's Who Among America's Educators. After 29 years of teaching, Ken retired; but a life of leisure didn't last long. In 2006, Ken and Brenda bought an 1882 building in Payson, AZ. They opened Bootleg Alley Antiques & Art. Along with a few other business owners, the Mooneys started Payson's award winning event, First Friday Art and Antiques Walk on Main St. Each month, the Mooney's hired Payson's favorite bands to perform in their parking lot where local charities grilled and sold brats. One musician dubbed Bootleg Alley, "Payson's most happenin' little shop". Ken was also a founding member of the Payson Main Street Merchants Guild. A devoted family man, Ken looked for ways to help his autistic son, Sean. Ken attended many backpacking trips with Sean and the Shea Hiking Club. Ken met his wife of 47 years, Brenda, when they worked at FedMart in 1967. Together, they became teachers, traveled, enjoyed music and collecting art. They spent summers at their cabin in Munds Park (another project of Ken's) Ken's parents Herold and Julia preceded him in death. Also preceding him is his dear Aunt Ruby Kuzik. Ken leaves behind his wife Brenda and son Sean. His brother, Bill (Marjie), sisters Bonnie and Dianne (Linda) survive. Ken's dearest friends Brian and Becky Darnell will miss him. ( Brian met Ken when they were 7 years old.) He will also be missed by his hiking buddy, Bob Seiler (Marilyn).. Ken is also survived by his mother-in-law, Gerry Kano Maynard, and numerous nieces and nephews. A celebration of Ken's life will be held in the future.
Posted by Gloria Simpson on June 01, 2015

Note: These obituaries are transcribed as published and are submitted by volunteers who have no connection to the families. They do not write the obituaries and have no further information other than what is posted within the obituaries. We do not do personal research. For this you would have to find a volunteer who does this or hire a professional researcher.