Kenneth J Law, Sr.

Surviving Family

Loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, Ken, aged 91, of West Bloomfield, MI, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Friday, September 29, 2017.  Born to the late Alex and Martha Law in Ecorse, MI July 26, 1926.  Ken is survived by his devoted wife of 62 years, Elizabeth “Betty” (nee Muir), brother Richard (Dorothy, deceased), children Karen (Bill) Wiltsie, Ken (Sherry), Mary (David) Baumgarten, Deanna (Doug) Williams, Greg (Marie), Suzanne (Hussam), Cheryl (Mark) Sawicki, 21 beautiful grandchildren, and 5 adorable great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother Bill (Ilene, deceased).

Services

Family will receive friends on Tuesday, October 3rd, 3:00 – 8:00 pm, with Rosary at 7:00 pm at McCabe Funeral Home in Farmington Hills.  Ken will lie in state on Wednesday, October 4, 10:00 am, with his Funeral Mass following, 10:30 am, at Our Lady of Refuge Church in Orchard Lake.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are encouraged to Capuchin Soup Kitchen or Wounded Warrior Project.

Early Life and Education

Ken played high school football, graduating from St. Francis Xavier, Ecorse, MI in 1944.  He was drafted and served in the Navy 1944-1949 as a communications technician first class stationed in French Morocco.  Ken graduated magna cum laude earning a Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Detroit in 1954, continuing to earn his Master’s degree from Wayne State University in 1958 while teaching graduate courses at both U of D and Wayne State.  He is a member of Chi Sigma Phi Fraternity and remains friends with many of his brothers to this day.

Love of His Life

While at the University of Detroit Ken met and married the love of his life on July 2 1955.  Elizabeth Jean Muir Law would be his best friend, lover, helpmate, mother to seven children, travel partner and ultimately is selfless care giver.  Ken and Betty were known for their smooth moves on the dance floor, their warm hospitality and love of entertaining family and friends.

Professional Life

Ken earned his Professional Engineering (PE) accreditation from the Society of Professional Engineers.   An entrepreneur and business owner, Ken founded and successfully led K.J. Law Engineers, Inc. for 45 years, supporting hundreds of employees and their families.  Ken was an active leader in the American Society of Non Destructive Testing and received many awards for achievements in the field.

He traveled the world for business and leisure, visiting several countries in Western and Eastern Europe, Greece and Turkey, South and Central America, Australia & New Zealand, Japan and China among many others.

Passions

Ken enjoyed time with his family and friends most of all.  As a young man he loved boating and fishing with his brothers Bill and Dick on family trips to Hessel Michigan.  Ken was a founding member of Pinebrook Swim Club of Southfield spending time with his kids, teaching them to dive and swim. He also taught his seven children to snow ski, first at Kandahar Family Ski Club in Fenton MI and later at Boyne Highlands and ski resorts in Colorado.

Ken became an expert water skier and alpine snow skier. Past the age of 80 he could be seen water skiing several times a week with friends on Pine Lake.  For more than 20 years, Ken & Betty were members of the Whales Ski Group –40 or so friends who skied all over north America at places like Aspen, Telluride, Lake Tahoe, Park City and Whistler, Canada. He also enjoyed golf and friends as a long-time member of the Pine Lake Country Club.

First a Detroit Lions fan and later a life-long Michigan Wolverines football fan, Ken  loved tailgating  with friends and several of his children who earned degrees at U of M.
Family vacations were often on the beach in sunny Siesta Key Florida at Island House where the family shared a villa for many years with best friends from college – Jim & Mary Hammond.

Faith & Service

Ken was a faithful and dedicated Catholic, an active member, first of St. Michael Church in Southfield and later Our Lady of Refuge Church in West Bloomfield. He was always very generous to the Church and numerous charities, and supported Catholic education.  A patriotic conservative, he voted his values and was an advocate for life.
 
Ken the Man

Just a few of the posts from Ken’s grandchildren and children…

Ken Law wasn't a good man, he was a great man. He didn't live, he thrived. He was king to a dynasty that lives on. We raise our glasses of scotch across the country tonight in tribute to a man I'm blessed to call my Grandpa. Cheers to a life of love, family, leadership, hard work, joy, and faith.  Missed dearly and deeply by us Earthly folk. My heart aches.

This picture perfectly encompasses the spirit of my wonderful grandpa that he had all the way to the very end. He was a great man, and a better grandpa. I will cherish every wonderful memory with him from singing the "Worms Crawl In" song to warm our feet and teaching us to drive his boat when we were kids, to later teaching us to have a proper drink. There was no person like him in this world, and I miss him so much already. RIP Grandpa, I love you.

To my Grandpa, to one of the most impressive, smart, funny, hard core, hardworking, generous, loving people I have ever known. To a man who has loved me unconditionally since I was born. Grandpa I love you with all my heart, and I will carry you in it for the rest of my life.

So many wonderful memories with this man. Rest in peace, Grandpa. Love you and miss you already.

Dad, you were a mighty human being and faithful man, and I know you will continue to be a fierce advocate for us always. Thanking God for such a gift, and thank you for loving Mom and us so endlessly. Christ's peace be with you!

Rest In Peace, Dad. I will miss this amazing and wonderful man.

Rest In Peace, Dad. You were the best father ever. Missing you already. Love and kisses, and God bless. 9/29/2017