Kenneth John Olaf Selander
September 22, 1918 - November 3, 2007
Obituary
Kenneth ‘Kenny’ J. SELANDER September 22, 1918~November 3, 2007 Kenny was born in Bellingham, Washington. He received his BA in Economics from the University of Washington in 1940. His studies at George Washington Law School were interrupted by his service in the U.S. Navy during WWII where he served in the South Pacific for four years, becoming a Lt. Commander. His last tour of duty was on the staff of Admiral John McCain. Kenny served as Chief Clerk of the House Indian Affairs Committee under Congressman Henry M. Jackson. He then qualified for the District of Columbia Bar and in 1947 became a member of the Washington State Bar. He was the first attorney in Burien when he started his law practice there in 1947. He became Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Washington from 1951 to 1953. He formed the law firm of Selander, Espedal, Clark, and Leavitt and served as Chair on the Washington State Bar Senior Lawyers Section after retiring. Kenny was an active member of his community serving as President of King County Young Democrats in the 1950’s, Glendale Lutheran Church congregation, Lake Burien Elementary School PTA and as a member of the Burien Lions Club and on the board of the Burien Arts Association. Kenny died peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family in Burien. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Carol, his sister, Britt Marie Lee of Bellingham, and his five children: Ernest Kai Klaassen, Ken Jr. Jeannie O’Brien, Ann McCandliss Stephan, Linda Barnes Donald, and Randall. Kenny was proud of his ten grandchildren whom he adored and visited often: Nellie and Betsy Selander, Cleo Selander, Rachel and Ian McCandliss, Otto, Carol Ann and Julia Barnes, and Matthew and Nora Selander. Services will be held at Glendale Evangelical Lutheran Church 13455 2nd Avenue S.W., Burien on November 10, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to Glendale Evangelical Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, Burien Lions Club, Burien Arts Association or Disabled American Veterans P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250.
Dear Mrs Selander & Family,
I’m so sorry for the passing of Mr. Selander. I always enjoyed visiting with him when I was in town with Ken & Jeannie. He always had a big smile with an antidotal story to share and ALWAYS gave me a hug with his hello…
His wonderful sense of humor & loving heart impacted those who came in contact with him – He was a special man indeed!
I know you are hurting & will miss him greatly – My thoughts & prayers are with each one of you.
Hugs & God Bless,
Renata