Kenneth Grubaugh

Kenneth Wayne Grubaugh (Col. USAF, Ret.), 87, died Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015, at his home in Davis. He was a resident of Davis since July 1978 following his retirement from a long and distinguished career in the U.S. Air Force.

Graveside services, with military honors, are planned for 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9, at the Davis Cemetery, 820 Pole Line Road, with burial to follow next to his son, Kyle Grubaugh.

Ken is survived by his wife of 59 years, Lou Ellen (Gatlin) Grubaugh. Ken and Lou met in Phoenix, where Lou lived and worked, when Ken was sent there for a short training mission at Luke AFB. They were married Jan. 14, 1956, and made their first home at Cannon AFB, Clovis, N.M.

Ken is loved and honored by his family and will be remembered for his steadfast love and loyalty, for his outstanding example as a loving husband, father and grandfather, and for his pride, support and regard for all his family, near and far.

Ken is survived by two sons, Karl Grubaugh (Tanya) of Cameron Park and Jim Grubaugh of Sacramento, and a daughter, Anna Lynn Grubaugh (Neal Baker) of Windsor; two granddaughters, Lauren Grubaugh and Kerry Baker; three grandsons, Connor and Garrett Grubaugh and Kyle Baker; and numerous nieces and nephews and extended family members. Ken was born at the family farm in Van Wert County, Ohio, on Aug. 10, 1927, the sixth and youngest child of William and Ada Grubaugh. He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Kyle Grubaugh; two sisters, Nedra Altier and Betheen Grubaugh; and his three older brothers, Glover, Boyd (Dan) and Beryl. The four brothers were all Air Force pilots.

Ken served with dedication for 29 years in the U.S. Air Force, in a variety of missions as a fighter pilot, test pilot, Air Force plant representative and later as a procurement manager. He served briefly at the end of WWII and was a combat veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars. He was chosen for training at the elite Air Force Experimental Flight Test School at Edwards AFB, Calif., and completed the program in June 1958. He was the recipient of various military commendations and awards, including most notably the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, several Distinguished Flying Crosses and Air Medals. He was stationed at various locations in the U.S. and abroad, with final assignment as director of procurement at McClellan AFB, Sacramento. He attended Bowling Green State University, Ohio, and was a graduate of Georgia Tech with a degree in architectural engineering. He later completed a master's degree in industrial engineering at Stanford University.

After retirement and the move to Davis, Ken was employed for three years as Yolo County purchasing agent, followed by two years as general services administrator for the city of Davis. He also volunteered at the UCD Friends of the Arboretum and was a set designer and builder for the Winters Theatre Company.

The family is grateful to Kaiser Hospice for the love and care provided for the past year during his illness with cancer, especially Kelly, Connie, Marilou and Yvonne. Memorial gifts may be made to a charity of one's choice.

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Graveside
Monday, February 9, 2015

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