Kenneth L. Waldron, 81, of North Kingstown, died Friday, April 7, 2017 at the Providence VA Medical Center after a long battle with mesothelioma.  He was the loving husband of Virginia "Ginger" (Day) Waldron. Born in Tarkio, MO, he was a son of the late Wilbur L. Waldron & Lura Pearl (Racine) Waldron.

Mr. Waldron proudly served with the U.S. Navy Seabees during the Korean & Vietnam War and worked in the Navy as an electrician and plumber for twenty years, retiring rank as Master Chief.

Active in civic & community affairs, Ken was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church where he served on the vestry, baseball coach, umpire, & president of the North Kingstown Babe Ruth Baseball League, Treasurer, coach, and referee of the North Kingstown Soccer Association, and member of the RI Soccer Referee Association. He was a NCAA certified & Grade 5 FIFA referee. 

Ken also served as a Boy Scout leader, Treasurer for Sue Henseler's campaign, Treasurer of the North Kingstown Players, served on the board of directors for the Seabee Museum in Davisville, member of 710 Lodge F. & A.M. of Oxnard, CA, member of the Fleet Reserve and the Retired Seabees Island I. 

He was the first of eighteen men and one dog ever to spend an entire year at the geographical South Pole during Operation Deep Freeze.  As a result, Mount Waldron on the Antarctic continent is named after him.  He continued to be an active alumni of Operation Deep Freeze and attended many conferences, reunions, and served as the historian.  He was also a member of the Old Antarctica Explorers Association. 

In addition to his wife, he leaves his two loving children: Jeffrey L. Waldron and his wife Winifred of Milford, NJ, and Wendy A. Waldron of North Kingstown.  He was the cherished grandfather of Alexander L. Waldron of Milford, NJ, Rebecca M. Waldron of Milford, NJ, and Jacob K. Waldron of North Kingstown.  He was the brother of Frances Davis of Anderson, IN, Rodger Waldron of Edinburg, TX, and the late Mary Munson, Ruth Hartstack, Warren Waldron, & Fred Waldron.  He also leaves many nieces & nephews. 

His Funeral Service will be held Saturday, April 15, 2017 at 9:00 am in St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 55 Main Street, Wickford.  Burial with full Military Honors will follow in the RI Veterans Memorial Cemetery.  Relatives & friends are invited and may call on Friday from 4:00 to 7:00 pm in THE CRANSTON-MURPHY FUNERAL HOME of WICKFORD, 140 West Main Street, Wickford Village, North Kingstown. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory made to the Seabee Museum and Memorial Park, 21 Iafrate Way, North Kingstown, Rhode Island 02852 will be appreciated. 

 

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