Kenneth Jean Ray

Kenneth “Ken” Jean Ray, age 61, died April 22, 2018 at his home in Wasilla, Alaska. Ken was born July 9, 1956 in Orange, Texas. He graduated from Bartlett High School in Anchorage, Alaska in 1974. He developed a love for horticulture and the greenhouse/nursery industry while working at Alaska Greenhouses. It was there he also met “the love of his life” Kim (Hadden). They married in 1976. Ken later worked for Bell’s Nursery and Garden Center and developed a desire to build and run his own retail greenhouse. In 1985, Ken built Northern Lights Nursery at mile 38 of the Park’s Highway in Wasilla, Alaska. In 2001, the expansion of the Park’s Highway to four lanes forced the Park’s Nursery location to be shut down. Ken rebuilt a wholesale nursery at a different location and sold plants statewide to various big box stores. Ken would donate his surplus plants to community organizations: Senior Centers, MyHouse, The Salvation Army, The Boys and Girls Club. For many years on the last day of The Bear Paw festival in Eagle River, the plants Ken had provided as decoration for the rides and booths at The Golden Wheel Amusement fair would be auctioned off and the money would benefit the Eagle River Chamber of Commerce. It was Ken’s joy to share beautiful hanging baskets and tubs with friends and neighbors as well. Ken was involved in community and political affairs. He served as a member of Crime Stoppers and on the Transportation Advisory Board. He was especially proud of having worked on the Lisa Murkowski write in campaign. Ken loved to spoil his mother, bringing her small presents and treats daily. He was happiest when he was in his greenhouse tending his crops with his loyal dog Nikki by his side.” A favorite hobby was researching the history of dog mushing and mining in Alaska and sharing his findings with others. Friends and family would describe Ken as “very intelligent, possessing a wealth of knowledge on a wide range of topics.” He is preceded in death by his father, Lowell J. Ray. Survived by his wife of 42 years Kim; his mother Barbara Ray, and two sisters Barbara Burton of Anchorage and Loretta MacDonald of Seminole, Florida. A celebration of life ceremony will take place later this summer. Condolences can be mailed to Kim and Barbara Ray at P0 Box 870771, Wasilla, Alaska 99687.