Obituary of Kenneth D. Yoss

Kenneth Dean Yoss, known to his friends as Ken, Kenny or Sug, and to his grandchildren as Papa Sug, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on March 22, 2017. Ken was born on July 21, 1936 in Appleton City, MO to John Yoss and Arlene Stevener Yoss. Ken is survived by four brothers, Donald, John, Howard and Jim. He went to college at Pittsburg State University, where he received a B.S. in business administration in 1958. While at Pittsburg, Ken played on the football team, which won the National Championship in 1957. The University remained an integral part of Ken's life. The friends he made there remained some of his closest friends throughout his life and he frequently went back to the campus for golf fundraisers and reunions. Ken firmly believed, once a Gorilla, always a Gorilla. Ken married Carolyn McNally in July 1960. Ken first went to work for Skelly Oil and then Lockwood Graders, as an accounting manager at both. He left Lockwood Graders and went to work at Montgomery Ward in 1964 and stayed there for 30 years until his retirement in 1994. Within a year at Wards, Ken transferred to the data processing department where he was on the forefront of computerized processing of information. He made many lifelong friends at Wards. Sug was a staunch athlete all of his life. After moving to Colorado in 1994, his passion became skiing and he continued to ski up until 2012. Ken was an avid cyclist and became one of the oldest persons to ride in the MS150 bike challenge, completing the marathon bike tour at the age of 74 and achieving the status of "high roller" for the amount of money he raised. While he loved to golf and was frequently on the course, he never quite mastered the game! Throughout Ken's life, community service and involvement in his church played a vital role. Ken spent significant time as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, Praying Hands Ranch and Parker Task Force. He put his accounting background to good use volunteering as a tax preparer for AARP. Ken served in many roles in his church, but was most valued in his role as treasurer. The absolute light of Ken's life was his family, who he always placed first and foremost. Ken and Carol had four children, Mark (Dianne) Yoss of Highlands Ranch, CO, Jan Yoss (Harout Arslanian) of Los Angeles, CA, Jeanne (Tim) Maloney of Parker, CO, and Jill (Scott) McFall of Commerce City, CO. Ken coached their sports teams and tirelessly went to nearly each and every game. He encouraged and fostered education, and he was the sounding board for all of his children's major life decisions, providing them with a strong moral and religious compass. Papa Sug took great pride in his grandchildren and doted on all of them. In total, he leaves nine adoring grandchildren: Jacob, Julianne, and Jenna Yoss, Dean and Nathan Maloney, John and Tyler McFall and Aline and Ari Arslanian. His kindness, love and generosity will be remembered by everyone who knew him. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Pittsburg State University. To make a secure gift online: Go to giveto.pittstate.edu If you choose to donate by mail, send to: Pittsburg State University Foundation, Inc. P. O.Box 4005 - Pittsburg, KS 66762-9910 Phone 620-235-4768 A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 31, 2017 at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 9300 E. Belleview Ave., Greenwood Village, CO 80111. Service Information