Kenneth Keith Landis Jr.

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Kenneth Keith Landis Jr. of Denver, Colo., died at the age of 73 on Oct. 1, 2022. He was born on Dec. 19, 1948, to Kenneth and Blanche (Taylor) Landis in Walters, Okla. Kenneth, usually referred to as Ken or Kenny, grew up in Duncan, Okla. He graduated from West Point in 1971 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. Ken was the financial officer in Soul Korea for five years until he resigned from the Army as a Captain.

Ken did work for a year or two as a civil engineer, but his passion was in freelance art and music. Ken pursued this passion for the rest of his life. He expressed his freelance art using watercolors, colored pencils and crayons on paper, latch hook and stained glass. Ken lived in Duncan doing odd jobs to support his passion. He also worked as a volunteer at the local clothing donation center. He lived in Taos, N.M., for a couple of years to further develop his talent and sell some of his artwork.

In 2006, Ken moved to the Veterans Community Living Center at Homelake located in Monta Vista, Colo., to be closer to his sister De Etta Ward. Monta Vista is located in the beautiful San Luis Valley which was an ideal setting for his art and music. Ken was well liked in the area. He was Santa Claus at Homelake for a couple of years. Finally, Ken moved to Denver where he continued with his art and music. His artwork has been displayed in several areas and his music, piano and harmonica, was enjoyed by many people at several locations.

Ken is survived by Hilarie Foster, his niece, Reid Foster, his grandnephew and Bryn Foster, his grandniece.

He was preceded in death by Kenneth and Blanche Landis, and De Etta Ward, his sister. Ken died 48 days after De Etta died, she had always been there for him.

Since Ken’s family and friends are spread across the county and he wanted to be cremated with no place designated for the ashes, the service will be a candle lighting Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, at 6 p.m. The candle lighting will take place in the home of anyone who wants to participate in Ken’s celebration of life. At 6 p.m. there will be a minute of silence for Ken. After a minute of silence, celebrate the good times you had with Ken.

Please make donations in memory of Kenneth L. Landis Jr. to one of the following charities: The National Council for Mental Wellbeing, any charity that supports awareness and research for mental health or to your favorite charity.

To express condolences, please visit www.rogersfunerals.com.

Rogers Family Mortuary in Alamosa is in care of the arrangements.