Kenneth Betchel

Kenneth L. Betchel, 64, of Fort Collins, died Jan. 18, 2006, at Poudre Valley Hospital. Mr. Betchel was born June 4, 1941, in Fort Collins, to E.H. Betchel and Betty Douglass Betchel. He was raised and graduated from high school in Cheyenne, Wyo. Ken was a retired Coast Guard, 3rd Class Chief Warrant Officer for 22 years, serving in Vietnam, Kodiak, Alaska, and Pearl Harbor, and he was a firefighting instructor at Groton, Conn. Mr. Betchel married Doris Ann Boulnois on Aug. 11, 1962, in Arlington, Va. Ken was one of the first responders of the Waverly Station in the Wellington Fire Protection District and was also a board member. He enjoyed playing PlayStation and computer games, camping and fishing. He was an expert marksman in rifle and pistol and a camp host for 1,000 trails at Long Draw Reservoir. He will be remembered as a wonderful father, grandfather and father-in-law. Mr. Betchel is survived by a son, Kenneth R. Betchel Sr. and wife, Letitia, of Fort Collins; a daughter, Cathy O'Malley and husband, Kevin, of Fort Collins; his parents, E.H. and Betty Betchel of Fort Collins; one sister, Karen Ramirez and husband, David, of Evans; four grandchildren, Skipper and Melissa Betchel and Brianna and Devin O'Malley; his special friend, Sharon Koehler of Fort Collins, and his pets, "Mike the Bird" and cat "Pagan." Ken is preceded in death by his wife, Doris. A memorial service with military honors by the Fort Collins All Veterans Honor Guard will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Bohlender Funeral Chapel. Pastor Paul McGraw will be officiating at the service. Memorial contributions can be made to Kenneth Betchel Memorial Fund in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive St., Fort Collins, CO 80524.