KENNETH HOLBROOKKENNETH HOLBROOK, 74 Kenneth William Holbrook, 74, of Monterey, CA died February 23, 2014 in Boulder, CO surrounded by his devoted family and faithful pets, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He is son of Bill and Jane Holbrook and husband to Sally Ann Holbrook. "Buckie" to his oldest friends and "Poppy" to his grandkids, Ken was born in Mineola, New York and raised on a cattle ranch in Southern Arizona. He attended the University of Arizona on track and football scholarships where he earned a degree in Agriculture & Soil Chemistry, was initiated into Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) fraternity, received an ROTC Commission and met his future wife, Sally Ann Holt. After an assignment with the 3rd Armored Division in Germany, he retired as a US Army Captain and returned home to earn a graduate degree from the Thunderbird Graduate School of Global Management and begin his business career. Ken's business career included executive positions at Exxon Chemical, Koch Industries, WR Grace and IMC Global and allowed his family to live and travel across the world. After he retired as Business Unit President for IMC Global, he continued to mentor business owners as Chairman of Vistage (formerly TEC), SCORE and The Small Business Development Council, assisting a range of independent businesses, from a struggling local coffee shop to one of the world's most successful sculptors. He was also an active supporter of his children's and other businesses important to him, serving as Chairman of the Board for Global Medical & Dental and as a Board member for Style Properties, LLC., and CerMed Corp. Beyond his business accomplishments, Ken will be remembered by his family and business associates as a lifelong coach and mentor who was as adept at teaching the fundamentals of a tennis backhand as he was at building a business plan. He was also an active leader in his community including as an Advisory Board member to Nicklaus Club Monterey (formerly Pasadera Country Club) where some referred to him as "the mayor of Pasadera". A lifetime athlete and fan, he engaged in tennis, golf and whatever sports his children, grandchildren or beloved Arizona Wildcats were playing. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sally Ann of Monterey, CA, two sons, Kerr (Eugenie) of Boulder, CO and Craig of Honolulu,HIl, two grandchildren, Kara and Carter of Boulder, CO, his sister, Pattie (John) of Sonoita, AZ, and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. A memorial service was held March 22nd at St. Philip's in the Hills Church, in Tucson, AZ and a Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at Nicklaus Club - Monterey, Monterey, CA, on April 12th. In lieu of flowers, please donate to two causes important to Ken: The Wounded Warriors Project (woundedwarriorproject.org) or Heartland Hospice Memorial Fund (heartlandhospice.com).
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
KENNETH HOLBROOK, 74 Kenneth William Holbrook, 74, of Monterey, CA died February 23, 2014 in Boulder, CO surrounded by his devoted family and faithful pets, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He is son of Bill and Jane Holbrook and husband to Sally Ann Holbrook. "Buckie" to his oldest friends and "Poppy" to his grandkids, Ken was born in Mineola, New York and raised on a cattle ranch in Southern Arizona. He attended the University of Arizona on track and football scholarships where he earned a degree in Agriculture & Soil Chemistry, was initiated into Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) fraternity, received an ROTC Commission and met his future wife, Sally Ann Holt. After an assignment with the 3rd Armored Division in Germany, he retired as a US Army Captain and returned home to earn a graduate degree from the Thunderbird Graduate School of Global Management and begin his business career. Ken's business career included executive positions at Exxon Chemical, Koch Industries, WR Grace and IMC Global and allowed his family to live and travel across the world. After he retired as Business Unit President for IMC Global, he continued to mentor business owners as Chairman of Vistage (formerly TEC), SCORE and The Small Business Development Council, assisting a range of independent businesses, from a struggling local coffee shop to one of the world's most successful sculptors. He was also an active supporter of his children's and other businesses important to him, serving as Chairman of the Board for Global Medical & Dental and as a Board member for Style Properties, LLC., and CerMed Corp. Beyond his business accomplishments, Ken will be remembered by his family and business associates as a lifelong coach and mentor who was as adept at teaching the fundamentals of a tennis backhand as he was at building a business plan. He was also an active leader in his community including as an Advisory Board member to Nicklaus Club Monterey (formerly Pasadera Country Club) where some referred to him as "the mayor of Pasadera". A lifetime athlete and fan, he engaged in tennis, golf and whatever sports his children, grandchildren or beloved Arizona Wildcats were playing. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sally Ann of Monterey, CA, two sons, Kerr (Eugenie) of Boulder, CO and Craig of Honolulu,HIl, two grandchildren, Kara and Carter of Boulder, CO, his sister, Pattie (John) of Sonoita, AZ, and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. A memorial service was held March 22nd at St. Philip's in the Hills Church, in Tucson, AZ and a Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at Nicklaus Club - Monterey, Monterey, CA, on April 12th. In lieu of flowers, please donate to two causes important to Ken: The Wounded Warriors Project (woundedwarriorproject.org) or Heartland Hospice Memorial Fund (heartlandhospice.com).