Kenneth Lee Upton  May 7, 1932 - September 22,  2023, Born in Tacoma to Homer and Flossie Upton, Ken was a lifelong Tacoma and Lakewood resident. Ken (or Kenny as he was know by classmates) went to Sheridan Elementary, Gault Middle School and Lincoln High School where he majored in Music and Science and was a baritone in the prestiges Lincoln High Acapella Choir.  He was proud of being one of the youngest members of the Tacoma Musician's Union Local 117 at the age of 16.

After graduating from high school in 1950 Ken worked at Tacoma City Light until being drafted in 1952 to proudly serve in the US Army in Alaska during the Korean War.  Though trained as a radio operator Ken's wit and musical talent quickly landed him in the Troop Information and Entertainment Division where he helped build moral and keep the troops informed through a base newsletter and assisting fellow soldiers in obtaining their GED while also serving as a chaplain's assistant and church organist. Ken was asked to put together a barbershop quartet to entertain the troops and compete in the Army's  Alaska Air Command barbershop quartet competition in which they walked away with the first place trophy.  After his service he returned back home to employment with Tacoma City Light briefly before hiring on with Pacific Telephone and Telegraph from 1957 to 1970 (eventually becoming Pacific NW Bell or "Ma Bell").

Ken developed a love for music while in school and played piano professionally for most of his life. Some notable bands he helped form include The Melody Kings, Four Roses and a Chaser, The Continentals, The JLK Quartette and the Ken Lee Combo. Performing as Ken Lee he also spent over 12 years entertaining guests as a solo act playing to standing room only crowds at piano bars throughout the local area such as Cecantes, The Sherwood Inn and The Lakewood Terrace. When not playing piano Ken was also co-owner of Lakewood Villa Realty for 32 years with his wife Bridget.  He was a lifetime member of the Tacoma Elks and in his spare time he loved working outside in his garden growing beautiful flowers and delicious vegetables or cheering on all of the local sports teams be it high school, college or the professional teams. Ken was a man of strong faith his entire life and became a member of the Little Church On The Prairie in Lakewood in 1994 where he enjoyed helping out as a handyman maintaining the grounds and facilities and also serving as an Elder and a Deacon. Of course church wouldn't be complete unless he was singing baritone in the church choir which he did from 1995 to 2016.

Ken is survived by his loving wife Bridget, sons Dennis (Betsie) and Larry (Veta), first wife and mother of his sons Sally Walters, 5 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, 5 brothers and 2 sisters. There will be a graveside service Saturday, October 14th at 11:00 AM at the Old Tacoma Cemetery followed by a Celebration of Life at 2:00 PM at The Little Church On The Prairie. Donations in Ken's name may be made to the Deacons at Little Church on The Prairie