Kenneth Earl Clevenger

Kenneth Earl Clevenger, age 82, died peacefully December 9 at his home in The Cottages memory care unit in Emmett, Idaho. Ken was the first of five children born to Kenneth and Marguerite (Nau) Clevenger on April 27, 1943 in Nampa, Idaho.

He started his education at St. Paul’s Catholic school in Nampa and continued it in Catholic schools in Seattle, WA when his father accepted a job at Boeing Aircraft. Shortly after starting his Junior year, the family moved to Kuna when his parents bought the farm his father’s parents owned near Bowmont.

After graduating from Kuna High, he worked at Terminal Ice for a few years. It was during this time that he became interested in jalopy racing at the Meridian Speedway. His number 50 car was painted yellow with large red polka dots. His driver’s uniform was a white painter’s coverall that his mother sewed red stripes down the arms and legs. After a couple years he realized that in order to get a job that paid enough so he would to be able to afford the lifestyle he wanted he enrolled in the University of Idaho in Moscow and got a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering.

Upon graduation he accepted a job in Dallas, Texas working for Texas Instruments. It was while living there that he discovered several hobbies that he very much enjoyed. He expanded his love of riding motorcycles by racing on dirt tracks in the area. Again he chose the number 50.

As a child his father taught him the basics of playing a guitar. Ken started collecting different stringed instruments and then decided that he would like to build his own. He bought any book or magazine that he could find that explained how to achieve specific tones with different woods and thicknesses, sound box sizes or other nuances. He learned how to precisely cut the pieces for exact fit, and how to design and create inlays. He built his own molds for shaping the side pieces, and modified tools for precision work. He made acoustic guitars, mandolins, dulcimers, banjos, a resonator and an electric bass guitar. Each one is a work of art. His friend, Ingrid, convinced him to have a showing at an art place in Dallas which was a huge success. Several people contacted him wanting to buy but he declined every offer. However, he did give some away to family and friends and they are treasured by every recipient. He also preferred to fabricate something rather than buy it. He built a complete set of muscle building equipment and spindle arm Morris chairs and a rocker with matching footstools for his home and porch.

When he retired he purchased a small acreage in the Hodgen, OK area. It is a small isolated community void of any industry or shopping malls. There he built a cabin and large shop, hiring others to do things too big for him to do alone, such as framing, and what is required by law by professionals. Ken didn’t have a television because he was too busy reading, researching, fabricating things he needed and collecting antiques. Once he got settled in he was able to invite a BMW motorcycle club he was a member of to have motorcycle rallies at his place. Boxer riders from multiple states and Canada converged once or twice a year. His friend Joan Marie helped him to organize the meals and other details to host the group. Part of the rallies was the evening entertainment when Ken and other musical riders had jam sessions.

He loved family gatherings and class reunions. He was as happy with philosophical conversations and talking about the pros and cons of anything mechanical. He had many close friends whose friendship lasted for decades.

Several years ago, Ken realized that being so isolated in Oklahoma was not a good idea. He was starting to experience some memory loss so he moved back to Idaho, buying a home in Boise a couple blocks from his sister, Mary, who happened to be married to one of his best friends, Ron. There he built a shop that would be the envy of any home mechanic or woodworker and as organized as any hardware store. In it he had a room dedicated to entertaining where he had set up as a music room for impromptu sessions where others could share their talents or they could just relax and share a beer or cigar. This allowed family and old friends from high school to reconnect with him. It soon became a frequent hang out which he enjoyed.

Unfortunately dementia made it impossible for him to remain independent and he asked the family to help him find a place where he can get the care he needed. Too soon we had to move him out of assisted living into memory care. The Cottages in Emmett turned out to be the perfect choice for him during the final phase of his life. The family wants to thank the caring staff who took excellent care of him, Keystone Health that provided his medical care and Keystone Hospice during his final days.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents Kenneth and Marguerite Clevenger, brother Terry Clevenger and niece Jill Fisher. He is survived by his sisters Mary (Ron) Ferguson, Cecelia (John) Sachtjen and Norma (Kevin) Petty and sister-in-law Shelley Clevenger; Nephews and nieces Jennifer (Jim) Kienlan, Kara (Mike) Waite, Robert (Stephanie) Sachtjen, Mike (Alisha) Sachtjen, Clifford Petty, Ariel (John) Scarpelli and Mike (Chelsie) Clevenger.

A graveside service will be held at the Meridian Cemetery on Friday, December 12th at 1 PM. Those attending are asked to bring their own chairs.

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