Kenneth E. Pike Sr., of Hiram, passed peacefully on June 22, 2024, at age 87, surrounded by family.
Ken will be remembered as a generous and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, mentor and friend to many.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 38 years, Damaris Peters Pike; sister, Kay (Earl) Eastin, of Huntsville, Ala.; sister-in-law, Ann Pike, of Lakeland, Fla.; and children, Ken Jr. (Beth) Pike, Julie (Rick) Kleshinski, Valerie (JC) Chaudhry and Susie Pike.
Ken was blessed with six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He is also survived by stepchildren Dave (Hazel) Peters, Jan Daum (Rod Dahl), Carrie (Curtis) Icard; five step-grandchildren; and Donna Kneier Anderson, the mother of his children.
Kenneth was born April 29, 1937, to Oliver and Frances Pike in Ravenna. He grew up in Middlefield, lived in Chagrin Falls and, for the last 38 years, in Hiram.
He was valedictorian of Cardinal High School, class of 1955.
At 19, Ken was managing Springbrook Farms, one of the largest turkey farms in Northeast Ohio. Ken transferred his strong work ethic and management skills to New England Life, where he enjoyed a long and successful career. He was proud he only had one job interview and one boss (himself), in his entire life.
Ken enjoyed many hobbies including playing tennis, working in the yard, making his kids pick up rocks in the garden, giving generous gifts to loved ones and strangers in need, cracking jokes, shooting the moon when playing Hearts, and giving rides on his golf cart.
Yet another passion was history, particularly the Civil War. He toured battlefields, collected memorabilia and supported the Civil War Trust.
Ken was a devout Catholic and a longtime friend of the Hiram Christian Church.
With an entrepreneurial spirit and philanthropic heart, Ken gave freely of his time, talents and treasure. He raised his family near Chagrin Falls, where he developed a 50-acre property into Sun Ridge Lane.
Ken started the annual chicken barbeques at both St. Joan of Arc in Chagrin Falls and St. Ambrose in Garrettsville. He gave generously to charities and organizations that were important to him. In 2008, he helped spearhead the project to build a playpark in Hiram, including seeking donations, volunteers and materials. Because of his many contributions, Ken was honored in 2012 with the Hiram College President’s Award for his generosity to both the college and the community.
For 38 years, Ken and Damaris were snowbirds who enjoyed winters at “Pike’s Place,” his magical home on Sanibel Island, Fla. His happiest moments on Sanibel truly came during family celebrations or when he generously shared his home with his large family.
Ken’s smile, easy laugh and warm hugs will be forever missed.
In his memory, a service will be held later this summer in Dunedin, Fla., for friends and family. All are welcome. (The celebration will also be made available online.)
Remembrance cards may be sent to his widow, Damaris Peters Pike, P.O. Box 467 Hiram, OH 44234.
“Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Mathew 25:21
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