Kenneth Pekola, age 60, passed away on July 4, 2022, as a result of a tragic car accident. Ken was a loving father, family member, accomplished community banker and wonderful friend. He was born to Mike and Gloria Pekola on June 26, 1962, in Aberdeen, Washington. After graduating from J.M. Weatherwax High School in Aberdeen in 1980 and Grays Harbor Community College in 1982, Ken earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington in 1984. A proud Husky fan, Ken continued his education at UW’s Foster Graduate School of Business, graduating with honors from the esteemed Pacific Coast Banking School in 2006. Ken’s impressive career in local banking spanned over 37 years and included time with Timberland Bank, Anchor Bank, Thurston First and Olympia Federal Savings (OlyFed). A leader in the local banking and business community, Ken held many vice president and senior vice president level positions, which included managing branches and teams across the South Sound and Grays Harbor County markets. Very notably, Ken was the chief credit officer for Thurston First Bank, where he was integral in projects we know today as the Hands-on Children’s Museum, Salish Cliffs Golf Course and Washington’s beach town, Seabrook. Most recently, he was a part of the senior management team at OlyFed, where he was instrumental in aiding in the start and expansion of the bank’s commercial lending division. At OlyFed, Ken continued to support numerous large-scale housing projects, like Merritt Manor, an 80-unit affordable housing community and the Lurana, a three-story mixed-use project on Olympia’s Percival Landing. In fact, Ken was passionate about creating opportunities for businesses and people to thrive and this was evident in his time on the board of directors with organizations like Homes First and Friends of the Olympia Farmers Market. Not only was Ken an accomplished lender, but he was also a kind and caring leader, who was well respected by his many business customers. He believed in having fun and was a great listener, who always provided solid advice and ideas. His optimistic and steady influence was critical in helping to build a culture of trust and respect everywhere that he worked. Ken was a dedicated and loving father to his only daughter Payton Pekola. He enjoyed traveling and he and Payton vacationed to sunny locales every year. In his free time, Ken loved being a part of a Corvette enthusiast group and he frequently planned and led their drives. He was an excellent cook and always prepared delicious dishes for family gatherings and get-togethers. He was a man of great faith and he often drove to Aberdeen to attend church with his mother. Ken finally found true love with
Kendra Laddusaw from Missoula, Montana. They fell in love over their passion and love of Corvettes. When they weren’t on a drive, they were exploring the outdoors, traveling together or just spending “K and K” time together, making meals or going to church. Whether walking down the street or sitting in their favorite pizza place in Missoula, people could see how happy and in love they were. Ken and Kendra were always making plans for the future and counting down the days to when they could be in each other’s arms. Ken will be deeply missed and his positive impact on the lives of his family, friends, colleagues, customers and community partners will be felt long into the future.
Ken is survived by his daughter, Payton, of the family home; his mother Gloria, of Aberdeen; and his brother Jim (Kirsten), of Aberdeen. He was preceded in death by his father Mike Pekola.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 16, 2022 at 1 p.m. at the Central Park Neighborhood Church in Aberdeen, Washington. Burial took place at Wynooche Cemetery, Montesano, Washington.
A card of condolence or of a memory can be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral. com.
Burial arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, Washington.
To view the obituary, please go to chronline.com/obituaries.
