Longtime Burien Resident Kenneth Lee Coole lost his battle with cancer on May 29, 2018.
Born 03/15/1947, Ken graduated from Cleveland High School in 1965. He enlisted in the Army in 1967 and went to Vietnam as an Helicopter crew chief, then on to Germany to finish military Service.
He later returned as a civilian for a 4-year cultivaton tour in Vietnam. With the fall of Vietnam, he returned to the states and began a career in Community Service. Became a Seafair Parade Marshal, was married and had a daughter Gina who he raised as a single parent. His daughter became involved with Campfire.
In 1989 he became involved with Maryfest and in 1992 Kent Lions club and Cornucopia Days. In 1996 his granddaughter was born. In 2007 he became a Seafair Pirate for 5 years and then some differences came up and he was no longer a Pirate which he later regretted.
He than hooked up with Dave Eady and became an Elite Motorcycle Escort Officer, escorting Funerals to their Burial Sites. He enjoyed this very much as a lot were veterans to Tahoma National Veterans Cemetery.
Ken also assisted and was a member of the REVA Restored Emergency Vehicle Association, driving Police Cars to Events, washing and helping ready cars for those events.
Ken was born to Geraldine M. and Harris Coole, and is survived by his daughter Gina Sampson and granddaughter Tatyana Sampson.
The family asks that donations be made to the Puget Sound Honor Flight instead of flowers. Ken made this flight just before his passing and really enjoyed his flight and time in Washington DC to see the veteran memorials and the Vietnam wall.
Ken will be laid to rest July 1, 2018 with his escort Bike Red lights flashing at Washington Memorial Cemetery, located at 166th and International Blvd at 2 p.m.