January 04, 1947 - September 27, 2010
Kenneth Charles Ferro, RN, MSN (LTC, USA, Ret) Obituary
(Age 63) Kenneth Charles Ferro passed peacefully away the afternoon of Monday, September 27, 2010. A loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, son and uncle, he was born in Granite City, Illinois on January 4, 1947, as the second of four children. A track star at Granite City High School, Ken remained active in the drama department even appearing as "Freddy" in "My Fair Lady," and worked summers at Granite City Steel. After graduating high school, he then attended University of Illinois, ultimately receiving his Bachelor's degree in Communications at Southern Illinois University. In the summer of 1970, Ken was drafted into the United States Army and deployed to Vietnam. Following his tour, he attended Officer Candidate School, eventually returning to Southern Illinois University to complete his Bachelors of Science in Nursing. During a tour of duty at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX, he received his Masters of Science in Nursing. Ken then received post-graduate education at ICNE Spokane. Ken went on to serve tours of duty at Walter Reed Hospital, Washington DC; Ft. Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX; M?nich, Germany; Ft. Benning, GA in both the hospital and M.A.S.H. unit; Ft. Monmouth, NJ; and finally with the 396th Combat Support Hospital in Spokane, WA. A decorated Veteran, he served his country for twenty-six years, including deployments to Vietnam and Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield, a component of Desert Storm. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1998. Upon retirement Ken continued his nursing career in the Greater Spokane area working at Gentiva Home Care Services, Gonzaga University's Jesuit House Clinic and finally as a nursing supervisor at the Spokane Veterans Home. His final position with the Veterans Home spoke not only of his dedication to his profession, but of his dedication to his fellow veterans. He is survived by his adoring wife of 14 years, Victoria Z. Ferro of Spokane; his daughters Dana Valentino, Toni Ferro, and Elizabeth Lamb-Ferro; sisters Diana Provines, Donna Carli, and Doris Foster; step-mother Margaret Ferro and three grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his father, Peter C. Ferro, and mother, Evelyn J. Ferro. Services celebrating the life of Kenneth C. Ferro will be held at St. David's Episcopal Church, 7315 N. Wall St. Spokane, Washington 99208 at 4:00 PM on Friday, October 1, 2010. Memorial contributions may be made to the Spokane Veterans Home Veteran's Betterment Fund or to St. David's Fellowship Fund.
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