Former Sandpoint teacher shares a tale of 'Deception'

SANDPOINT — A decorated Vietnam veteran, a successful cardiovascular surgeon and, from an outward perspective, a pillar of his community.

While this is the Ken Judy many knew up until his death in 1986, those closest to him knew there was a lot more to the man — including two missing coffee cans full of South African gold Krugerrands worth about $2 million. Brad Judy said his father’s life, and the tragedy that surrounded it, had nagged at him since the day Ken Judy died. It was during the hunt for his dad’s treasure in 2017, and the emotions it stirred, that Brad Judy was inspired to write the full story of “Deception: the rise and final fall of a decorated Vietnam surgeon.”

“My intent was to never ever tell anyone and go to my grave with it,” said Brad Judy, a former Sandpoint High School teacher. “There was so much of Dad’s life that was inspirational, yet tragic.”

According to the book description, “Deception” is an American story of suffering, temporary redemption and betrayal. Brad Judy details how the “deceiver may have become the deceived, as his estate, gold, and perhaps his own fate, were compromised by one who claimed to love him.”

The book starts with a phone call to Brad Judy from a former girlfriend of his father, encouraging him to contact his godfather, a monsignor in the Catholic church. He later comes back to that and the gold, however, going on to detail the life of Ken Judy from a young child, up to his death in a wheat field outside of Pullman, Wash., at just 45 years old. It can be assumed that some of Ken Judy’s demons later in life may have stemmed from horrific events of his childhood.

“I want people to know how he overcame so bad of a life,” he said before adding, “You are not going to like him in parts of this book.”

Brad Judy said he would describe his father as powerful, complicated, passionate and tragic. Ken Judy also had an addiction to women, however, that ultimately destroyed relationships with those he loved.

In writing the book, Brad Judy was determined to be authentic, to tell the whole story — this was not an easy thing to do.

“I cried, I laughed, I reminisced,” Judy said, adding that there were times when he doesn’t even remember writing. “It was surreal.”

In the eight months since the book was released, Brad Judy said he has sold 1,700 copies. Reviews call the book a “best seller in the making,” and if the book is picked up by a big publisher, Brad Judy said he will give 50 percent of the book’s profits to a foundation that helps injured military veterans.

Brad Judy taught marketing and computer applications at SHS from 1994-2000. He now lives and teaches in Kennewick, Wash. He holds bachelor’s degrees in business and education from Lewis-Clark State College and Eastern Washington University, as well as a master’s in education administration from Washington State University. He has been married to his wife, Janet Judy, for 30 years and they have two daughters together.

As he still has connections to the area, Brad Judy will be holding a book signing event from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 25, at Vanderford’s Books and Office Products, 201 Cedar St., Sandpoint.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.