Kenneth Paul Gidley, Sr.

Ken was born in Wickliffe, Ohio, on November 29th, 1935, to Wayne & Sally Gidley, the 3rd of 7 children. He attended Willoughby Union High and graduated in 1953.

In 1956, he volunteered into the Army with his brother Lawrence and the two served in Korea until 1958.

In 1961, he married his long time sweetheart Margie DelCarpini and moved to California.

Ken worked as an auto mechanic for over 40 years, and then worked a few more years selling tools to other mechanics with Mac Tools. While he worked on cars as a career, there was almost nothing he couldn't fix - he was a true "MacGyver" with a gift for understanding how things worked and how to put them right when they went wrong. If anyone ever needed something fixed, advice on how to fix something, or a tool to borrow, they could depend on Ken.

Ken was a devoted family man to his wife, his children, his in-laws, and his nieces and nephews. He was the first man to join the PTA at Thomas Jefferson Elementary school and was instrumental in getting a stop sign installed near the front of the school. When his boys were growing up, he was very active with them, helping lead with Indian Guides, the Boy Scouts, and coaching/managing little league teams. As the boys got older, he enjoyed taking them to the desert with motorcycles and his dune buggy.

When he had grandchildren, he doted on them and attended any/all of their many events. He spent time with his nieces, nephews, and their children as well.

After retiring, he was active volunteering with former telephone company employees in the Pioneer Club, as well as Disney's Golden Ears organization, always with his wife Marge. He also had a passion for collecting and building lighthouses - his collection numbered in the hundreds.

Ken had a dry sense of humor and a sarcastic wit, always cracking wise with those he knew and loved. He was genuinely loved and admired by all who knew him - he will be dearly missed.

Ken is survived by his wife of 60 years Margie (DelCarpini) Gidley; his sons Kenneth P Gidley Jr and Wayne Gidley; his daughter-in-law Penney Gidley; his grandchildren Brittany Gidley, Darren & Brooke Gidley, Autumn Gidley, and Amanda & Daniel Wheeler; as well has his sister Nancy Kuchta, brother Lawrence Gidley (& wife Lois), sister Sally Bunnell, and brother Ronald Gidley.

Ken will be laid to rest on Monday August 16th at 11:00am, with a graveside service for immediate family. A celebration of life gathering will be held on Friday August 27th from 5:00pm until 9:00pm at El Dorado Park Golf Course's Garden Pavilion.