Kenneth Alden Gasch, Sr. passed away on June 8, 2024, in Palestine, TX at the age of 82 after battling esophageal cancer for over two years. Born September 30, 1941, in Victoria, TX, Kenneth grew up the youngest (and tallest!) of seven children in a close-knit family in Bay City, TX. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at age 17 and began what would be a distinguished 20-year military career. Kenneth fought in the war in Vietnam for three years, where he participated in the Battles of Khe Sanh and Hue City and earned the Combat Action Ribbon. Throughout his early military career Kenneth was stationed at Cherry Point NC, Camp Pendleton, CA, Twenty-nine Palms, CA, Iwakuni and Okinawa, Japan, and Beaufort, SC. His military accolades also included the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Navy Presidential Unit Citation, Rifle Expert Badge, and four Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals. In 1970 he met Dallas native Betty (whom he affectionately called "Poo") and they married in 1971. They went on to be stationed in Seattle, St. Louis, and San Diego. Kenneth retired from active duty in 1979 at the rank of Gunnery Sergeant and they moved to Betty's family home in Dallas (Lakewood) to raise their three sons. Kenneth began his civilian career at Continental Electronics, where his mastery of RF (radio frequency), can-do-it attitude, and keen mind were highly valued. Always up for going someplace new, Kenneth frequently folded his 6'7" frame into an airplane to tackle projects around the globe, including two several-month stints in India, and projects in North Dakota, Afghanistan, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Cyprus, and Australia and on the Superconducting Supercollider in Waxahachie, TX. In 1996 Kenneth left Continental and began roles with a series of companies that took the family to Woodbridge, VA, Phoenix, AZ, Santa Cruz, CA, and Edmond, OK, eventually returning to Dallas. Kenneth settled into retirement in the late 2010s and plunged his boundless energy into various hobbies, including restoring vintage tractors, boats, and cars; taking community college welding classes; lake and ocean fishing; tumbling gemstones; and offering consultation to anyone and everyone who had anything that needed fixing. Kenneth was a natural storyteller, a lover of bawdy jokes, and a spontaneous adventure-seeker who didn't sit still for long. His mechanical mind knew no bounds, and he never encountered something he couldn't repair or figure out how to get fixed. Kenneth loved genealogy, dogs, western movies, photography, spy novels, history, classic country music, and soul food. He held a strong faith in God throughout his life. Most of all Kenneth loved his family and took great joy in spending time with them whenever possible. Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, George Alden Gasch and Denal Marie Black Gasch; his beloved wife of 52 years Betty Florence Houston Gasch; and siblings Mary Tompkins, Virgil Gasch, and Billy Gasch. Kenneth is survived by his sisters Helen Freeman, Rachael Weems, and Yvonne Dodson; sister in-law Jane Gasch; brothers in-law Ben and Bob Houston; sons Ken, Jr., Bill, and John Gasch; daughters in-law Erin and Rachel Gasch; grandchildren Zoie, Winston, Tate, Benjamin, Cooper, and Emily Gasch; great-grandchildren Finley, Rayne, and Zander; and a multitude of nieces, nephews, and cousins. A memorial service celebrating Kenneth's life will be held on Sunday, September 29, 2024 at 2:00 pm at Bethany Christian Church, 6282 Oram Street Dallas, TX 75214. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Kenneth's name to Bethany Christian Church.

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