Kenneth Mcalister

A truly gentle and friendly man, Kenneth Alden McAlister died June 11, 2023 in a boating accident at Settler’s Point on the Columbia River near Astoria. The youngest of three, Ken was born in Livermore, California, on February 14, 1968 to Jack and Janet McAlister. The family moved to Stayton in 1974 where Ken attended kindergarten through high school, graduating in 1986. Kenny, as he’s often called, grew up near the Santiam River where he spent his school years filled with exploration and collection of every critter he could catch. He enjoyed playing Little League baseball as a kid, football and baseball in high school and then baseball during his time at Oregon Technical Institute, he worked hard to play well. Kenny, worked for JELD-WEN for more than three decades and is remembered for his extraordinary conflict resolution talents. Moving on to begin what he had always thought he’d like to do: get his CDL and drive truck. Choosing to join a nationwide company he quickly proved to be one of their very best. His first trucking firm included meeting Mercedes. Love blossomed and they married June 16, 2022 beginning a very happy but all too short life together.

Ken loved his family and spent as much time as he could making memories with his children. Ken was a son, brother, uncle, husband, father, hunter, fisherman, conservationist, marksman, mechanic, engine builder, racer, world speed record holder, and was always willing to help whenever he could and was passionately motivated to succeed at whatever he chose.

Ken is preceded in death by his father Jack McAlister. Ken leaves behind his mother Janet McAlister, wife Mercedes McAlister, sisters Linda Flicker and Diana Lackey, and his children Keith, Kyle, Rachel, Derek and Riley, many nieces, cousins, aunts and uncles and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Stayton United Methodist Church, 1450 Fern Ridge Rd SE, Stayton. Saturday, July 15th at 2:00. Reception to follow at the church.