Obituary of Kenneth (Ken) Peter Orchuk Sr.

December 11, 1943 - August 28, 2019

It is with great sadness that the family of Kenneth Peter Orchuk Senior announces his passing after a brief illness, on Wednesday, August 28, 2019, at the age of 75 years. Ken was born in Grande Prairie, and was the son of Peter and Mary Orchuk who passed away in 1991 and 2004 respectively.

 Ken attended the University of North Dakota where he earned an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1968 and a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1970.  In 1966 while at the University of North Dakota, Ken met and married Brenda Gray of Fayetteville, North Carolina. They returned to Grande Prairie in 1970 with their son Ken Junior, who was born in 1969. Ken returned to Grande Prairie to work with his father, Pete, at Northern Bottling, the business he had owned and operated since 1937. Northern Bottling continues to be family owned and is operated by Ken Jr. and distributes Coca Cola products to Northern Alberta and Northern British Columbia. In 1972 Ken and Brenda welcomed their second son, Jeremy, who lives in Culpepper, Virginia with his children.

Ken remained in Grande Prairie until 2004 when Brenda dragged him kicking and screaming into retirement to Wilmington, North Carolina.  During his years in Grande Prairie Ken was an active community member, known to many and involved in various community organizations including the Elks of Canada, Kinsmen and the Recreational Flyers Club of Grande Prairie. Ken Sr. was an avid pilot who built two aircraft and piloted many others throughout North America.

In 2012 Ken and Brenda built a vacation home in Huatulco, Mexico and enjoyed meeting many new and wonderful friends. Ken and Brenda travelled often to Virginia and Grande Prairie to visit family and friends.

Ken will be forever remembered by his wife of 53 years Brenda, his sons Ken Jr.  and Jeremy as well as Ken’s wife Kelly and his stepdaughters Sabina and Peyton and Jeremy’s children Kayley, Madison and Kenny. He also leaves behind his sister, Jeannette, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Brenda, Ken Jr. and Jeremy invite friends and family to drop by, share memories and celebrate Ken’s life on Saturday, September 14, 2019 from 1:00 – 3:00 at the Golden Star Restaurant, 10112 101 Avenue, Grande Prairie.

Those who wish may make memorial donations in memory of Ken to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, 306, 10430 61 Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB  T6H 2J3.