Kenneth “Ken” Richard Volland passed away peacefully on Tuesday January 10^th 2017.  Ken was born in Yakima, WA to Walter and Roberta Volland on January 5^th 1946 and was a part of the Ellensburg community for 46 years.

Ken grew up in Yakima with four brothers and attended Naches High School where he was a proud member of the Ranger football team earning honors as an offensive lineman.  He graduated from Naches in 1964 and just a year later he began proudly serving his country in the US Air Force.  He served in the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged in 1969.

After returning from Vietnam Ken moved to Ellensburg to begin attending Central Washington University where in 1973 he graduated with a degree in K-12 education with the dream to be a teacher and a coach.  While going to school he worked at The TAV and later Schaake Packing Co. while supporting his wife and two sons.  After finding it difficult to obtain a teaching job after graduation he went back to work at Schaake and then worked for seven years at Carl’s Truck Stop

In August of 1982 Ken set out to run his own business when he leased and then purchased what would become Ken’s Mobil and would eventually changed affiliations with other gas company’s over the years.  He used skills obtained in the military and through self-teaching to become a staple in the community for auto repair and full service fuel ups.  He was asked many times over the years why he didn’t move to self-service and his answer was always that the community deserved to have someone serving them and he did that well all the way until the business closed in September of 2010.  Over the years in business he made many special friendships that lasted the rest of his life including with his longtime employee and friend Harvey Bamford.

Ken’s other passions were his children and coaching.  Ken coached his eldest sons soccer team The Volland Kicks in the KVJSA for many years and eventually coached a select soccer team that played on the Seattle Sounders field in the Kingdome.  He also served as league president with KVJSA.  He coached his youngest sons Little League baseball team sponsored by the Moose Lodge coaching them to a league championship.  He stayed connected to youth sports after his coaching days were done as a referee for youth and high school soccer. 

Ken’s proudest moments were spent with his children and grandchildren.  Whether it was showing them how to work on cars, coaching them in sports, being a cheerleader for them through life events or spending time with them playing poker he was always a father and grandfather first.  Simply stated he was a fantastic role model and friend to all and will dearly be missed.  You may not have always agreed with Ken, but he was always truly trying to do the right thing for all involved.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Jack and Howard and by his daughter Katie.  Ken is survived by brother Harold (Mary) Volland of Yakima, brother Phil Volland of Selah, sons Darren (Timannie) Volland of Spokane and Kerry (Emily) Volland of Kennewick as well as grandchildren Brady, Molly and Sami Volland.

A celebration of life will be held at the Kittitas Valley Event Center- Manashtash Room at 1:00 PM on Saturday February 11^th 2017.  In lieu of flowers we would recommend donations be made to the American Cancer Society or the Make A Wish foundation.