Kenneth Chant

Kenneth David Chant
“Mr Fix-it”
 
Our beloved husband, dad, papa, uncle and friend passed away January 14, 2016, after a short battle with Bile Duct Cancer. He was surrounded by his wife and three daughters as he stepped into Heavenly Father’s arms. He was born on January 23, 1932 in New Fane, New York to David John and Ida Margaret Elizabeth Kurz Wilke Chant.  At the age of 3, his family moved from New York to Pasadena, CA due to Ken’s asthmatic condition.  They traveled to California in a trailer built by his father, (who was in the construction business) that they pulled with their 1935 Cadillac.
 
Ken learned the value of hard work in his youth.  He worked alongside his family at Chant Feed & Seed.  He attended Pasadena City College and ASU, was Staff Sgt in the Air National Guard and was an Electrical Engineer by trade. During his service in the National Guard, he was set up on a blind date in Boise, Idaho, where he met the love of his life, LaWanna Rooksby.  They were married on Dec 23, 1957 and in 1968, they were sealed to their daughters in the Los Angeles LDS Temple.  Ken spent his entire life serving and helping others, always with a smile.  If there was something to be fixed or someone in need, he was always there to help.  He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully in the Jordan River and Draper Temples for the past 20 years.  Most recently, Ken volunteered in the engineering department at the Draper Temple.
 
Ken enjoyed working with his hands, especially on cars or “Everything and Anything” that needed to be fixed.  He could always be found tinkering in his garage and was affectionately known as “Mr. Fix-it”.  He also spent many years racing cars: Drag Racing, Ford Off-Road Pit-Crew Manager and driver.  Ken also loved classic cars, especially his T-Birds of which he owned several.  Dad taught us that FORD means “First On Race Day”.  If there are Fords in Heaven, Ken will be there working on them.
 
His other hobbies included repairing antique clocks, which can be found on many walls of his home, and working with wood.  He made a cedar chest for Kerri and various doll beds for his daughters and granddaughters.  Making custom pens and oil vials became his passion.  He especially loved to share his craft with the young men.  Ken also gave several pens to his friends and caring doctors.
 
Ken is survived by his sweet wife LaWanna, who he affectionately called “Lou”, daughters Kerri (Phil) Fabry, Kimberly (Todd) Milne, Kristi (Todd) Urban, 8 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and extended family members.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Alice.
 
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 11:00 am at the LDS Chapel located at 272 E. Traversepoint Drive, Draper, Utah.  Family and friends may join us for a viewing at the chapel on Friday from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 am.  Interment will be at Mountain View Memorial Estates.  In lieu of flowers, we would appreciate donations to the LDS Perpetual Education Fund:  https://www.lds.org/topics/pef-self-reliance/perpetual-education-fund?lang=eng
Service Information
Viewing January 22, 2016 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
272 E. Traversepoint Dr., Draper, UT





Viewing January 23, 2016 at 9:30 am - 10:45 am
272 E. Traversepoint Dr., Draper, UT





Celebration of Life
January 23, 2016 at 11:00 am
272 E. Traversepoint Dr., Draper, UT