Kenneth (Ken) Blood

Kenneth (Ken) Blood passed away March 23, 2023, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. He was born in Concord, N.H., on Nov. 7, 1944, to parents George and Mary Blood.

When still a toddler, his family moved to Southbury, Conn., where he attended grade school and high school. While in high school, he was on the baseball, basketball and soccer teams. In high school, he was known for his laugh, fun to be around, sense of humor and spirit for adventure. He graduated in 1962.

After graduating, he came to Sandpoint by train with his mother, Mary, and her husband, Bud Levitt. Soon after, Ken joined the Air Force, where he was stationed in Greece.

After serving his time in the Air Force, Ken lived in Spokane and worked for an irrigation company. Eventually, he moved back to Sandpoint, where he learned the profession of working with concrete. Later, he worked for himself pouring concrete all around Bonner County. For several years, Ken spent the winters in Arizona working for construction companies.

Enjoying sports, Ken started golfing and became quite good at it. At one outing making a hole-in-one. He also liked water skiing and loved fly fishing.

In 1991, Ken met Bonnie McGhee and, in the spring of 1992, they started sharing their lives together. This is when Ken’s talent for landscaping became present. Between jobs and weekends (with Bonnie working by his side) he planted trees, shrubs and hundreds of perennials and turned an acre and a half into a beautiful landscape. Ken was very pleased and proud when the place was put on the Pond Tour in 1999 and the Garden Tour in 2009. To enjoy the flower gardens, five seating areas were created.

Ken came up with the idea of having a whiffle ball contest. He set up a nine-hole whiffle ball course using hula hoops. Friends were invited and a lot of food (potluck), drinks and fun was had by all. This took place once every summer for 20 years.

Preceding him in passing are Ken’s father, George Blood; stepfather Bud Levitt; mother Mary Levitt; and older brother Robert (Bob) Blood. He is survived by Bonnie and her family; and three pets, Kelly, Lily and Lucy.

I am very thankful for the years we had together.

I will always love you,

Bonnie