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by John Franklin
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YAKIMA, Wash. — This year, one lucky student at Perry Tech will receive the Ken Messer scholarship, named after a man who gave his life for service.
“Our dad devoted so much time to the Yakima Valley, he loved this community and was committed to making it a great place to live," said Brian Messer, Ken's son. "While he instilled those values in all of us, we only discovered the extent of how many volunteer positions he held before he passed.”
To his children, Ken can be described as a loving father, a leader by example, and a constant volunteer.
“Dad put a lot of time into his family, and after he passed we really realized that I don’t know how he found the time," Brian said. "He put a lot into this community, he belonged to Sundown M Ranch, and Rotary, and on and on. It was absolutely amazing that he donated so much of his time.”
Two years ago, one of Ken's children contacted the perry tech foundation about creating a scholarship in his father’s name and memory.
“I did not know Ken Messer personally, but through the valley, I’ve often heard of his name," said Tressa Shockley, director of the Perry Tech Foundation. "As soon as his son contacted me, I knew exactly who he was referring to, I could picture his face, and I knew about the different things he did in this community.”
Messer created a few family traditions that created lasting memories for a lifetime.
“Every year he would take all the boys on a fishing trip to Twin Lakes, and then every Christmas, bravely, he’d take all the girls to Seattle, and we’d go shopping during Christmas time, and stay for 3 or 4 days," said Michelle Williams, Ken's daughter. "He’d be definitely ready to come home after that trip.”
Those traditions live on in his children’s families.
“My husband and our two kids have a fishing trip every year," Michelle said.
At the end of the day, his children remember the advice he gave, and the time he spent with them.
“He used to come out to our house, he’d just drive out and say I just wanted to come and visit, we’d just sit outside, visit, have a drink and coffee, whatever time of the day it was, and just sit and visit with him," said Lori Liebrecht, another one of Ken's daughters. "Those were really nice times because it was away from work.”
Ken Messer’s legacy lives on all throughout the valley, and even in our KIMA studio. He was the station manager for decades, and a plaque behind the cameras serves as a dedication to Ken.
To learn more about the Ken Messer scholarship, click here.
