Corvette Interior World Has Lost One Of Its Stars: Ken King has passed away
03-10-2006, 10:36 PM
#1
Team Owner
Thread Starter
Corvette Interior World Has Lost One Of Its Stars: Ken King has passed away
Many of you here know of forum vendor, Vette Essentials, or the name of either Ken King or Sandy King. If you do not know of them, a quick forum search will reveal that these two and their company have a huge positive following and have brought great joy to many people, primarily in the C5 world and more recently in the C6 world, with custom leather interior products. I myself had their products in my C5 and have them in my C6. More importantly, I have their friendship, and I guess in this latter role I have been asked to speak on behalf of the family.
This evening Ken King passed away, suddenly and unexpectedly. Preliminary thoughts are a massive heart attack. Ken was 46 years old.
Vette Essentials has always been a family run company with Ken as the primary contact person and Sandy as the exclusive maker of its products. With this sudden development, Sandy is contemplating a direction for the company but at this point is reassuring that she plans to continue to fill orders and keep the company going, barring any unforeseen or incalculable changes. Of course, plenty can change and Sandy has her own responsibilities, including those as a loving mother. She is a terrific person, with a wonderful spirit and an indomitable work ethic, as proven as she has in the past satisfied so many Vette Essential customers. Thus, I have great confidence that she will do all she can as the circumstances evolve. She also is humble and honest beyond reproach, so if there are any changes I will expect that she will communicate them, either directly, through me, or some other means.
If any of you do not know of the company, I welcome you to visit their website customer car gallery -- link. These pages bear witness to the reach that Vette Essentials has had and hopefully will continue to have. Certainly in one respect we're talking "just about car parts," but in another we are talking about a level of pride and customization that perhaps many of us know as we share a passion in our cars and in our ownership, as evidenced by our reading of this forum.
Thank you Ken and Sandy, and Ken, my friend, may you rest in peace.
If anyone would like to communicate with me, please do so at my email: steve@all-ip.com.
**************************************** ************
Update: Saturday March 11, 2006 1:30 p.m. CST (est.)
The funeral home is as follows:
Potere-Modetz
339 Walnut
Rochester, MI 48307
The funeral arrangements are as follows:Visitation: 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Funeral service: 2 p.m., Thursday, March 16, 2006
As for Sandy and Vette Essentials, it appears that Sandy and Ken's son, Matt, is going to cut back from his almost-finished college degree and attempt to fill the large shoes that Ken provided. But, Matt has certainly been around the right people to ready him for this step and Sandy remains committed to providing the same outstanding products she has made for years. Now, as has been suggested in this thread by many to whom I thank, each VE piece will be even more special.
Any of you are welcome to continue to email me as Matt has a chance to get up to speed on all that has made Vette Essentials so special, and the VE phones should be answered next week, perhaps even early in the week. Matt has my utmost encouragement and I hope that all VE followers feel the same and will welcome him into the spirit of the Corvette business and the passion. Peace.
**************************************** ************
Update: Saturday March 11, 2006 5:35 p.m. CST (est.)
On behalf of Sandy and the children, thank you all for your kind words. Ken's daughter, McKenzie, is only 7 years old. Needless to say, her appreciation of these events will be viewed thusly from the eyes of a very young heart. With that said, Sandy is welcoming any cards that anyone might send to McKenzie, and I would encourage you to pour out the same sentiments that you all have graciously provided here. Hopefully this will provide much needed solace as such cards arrive in a stream over the next few weeks and giving some positive emotions in the days to follow, and perhaps McKenzie also may read them again later in life for an appreciation of the people that Ken and Sandy have touched.
Sandy's home address, which she has asked that I share for this reason, is as follows:
Sandy King
977 Ravine Terrace
Rochester Hills, MI 48307
**************************************** ************
Update: Sunday, March 12, 2006 7:10 p.m. CST (est.)
I now have the complete time for the visitation and funeral and have updated them above. Visitation hours are expanded and the Thursday service is set at 2 p.m.
**************************************** ************
Brick Fund: I'm copying the post from blacksedan87 here (and thanks to him), in case folks don't see it since this thread is now so long:
"I just got off the telephone with Stephanie in the Membership Department at the NCM. A brick fund has already been established to honor our friend Ken. I imagine that there will be a formal announcement in the coming few days - but for those of you that expressed an interest in contributing....
Call the National Corvette Museum at 1-800-53-VETTE, ask for membership. Either Becky or Stephanie will assist you with your contribution to the brick fund. The plan is place a 2' x 2' brick with the Vette Essentials logo, and information on Ken King.
Thanks for your interest."
Also, reading even further in the thread, I see that there soon will be a new thread on the brick as is being put into place by Zack (y2k02c5).
This evening Ken King passed away, suddenly and unexpectedly. Preliminary thoughts are a massive heart attack. Ken was 46 years old.
Vette Essentials has always been a family run company with Ken as the primary contact person and Sandy as the exclusive maker of its products. With this sudden development, Sandy is contemplating a direction for the company but at this point is reassuring that she plans to continue to fill orders and keep the company going, barring any unforeseen or incalculable changes. Of course, plenty can change and Sandy has her own responsibilities, including those as a loving mother. She is a terrific person, with a wonderful spirit and an indomitable work ethic, as proven as she has in the past satisfied so many Vette Essential customers. Thus, I have great confidence that she will do all she can as the circumstances evolve. She also is humble and honest beyond reproach, so if there are any changes I will expect that she will communicate them, either directly, through me, or some other means.
If any of you do not know of the company, I welcome you to visit their website customer car gallery -- link. These pages bear witness to the reach that Vette Essentials has had and hopefully will continue to have. Certainly in one respect we're talking "just about car parts," but in another we are talking about a level of pride and customization that perhaps many of us know as we share a passion in our cars and in our ownership, as evidenced by our reading of this forum.
Thank you Ken and Sandy, and Ken, my friend, may you rest in peace.
If anyone would like to communicate with me, please do so at my email: steve@all-ip.com.
**************************************** ************
Update: Saturday March 11, 2006 1:30 p.m. CST (est.)
The funeral home is as follows:
Potere-Modetz
339 Walnut
Rochester, MI 48307
The funeral arrangements are as follows:Visitation: 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Funeral service: 2 p.m., Thursday, March 16, 2006
As for Sandy and Vette Essentials, it appears that Sandy and Ken's son, Matt, is going to cut back from his almost-finished college degree and attempt to fill the large shoes that Ken provided. But, Matt has certainly been around the right people to ready him for this step and Sandy remains committed to providing the same outstanding products she has made for years. Now, as has been suggested in this thread by many to whom I thank, each VE piece will be even more special.
Any of you are welcome to continue to email me as Matt has a chance to get up to speed on all that has made Vette Essentials so special, and the VE phones should be answered next week, perhaps even early in the week. Matt has my utmost encouragement and I hope that all VE followers feel the same and will welcome him into the spirit of the Corvette business and the passion. Peace.
**************************************** ************
Update: Saturday March 11, 2006 5:35 p.m. CST (est.)
On behalf of Sandy and the children, thank you all for your kind words. Ken's daughter, McKenzie, is only 7 years old. Needless to say, her appreciation of these events will be viewed thusly from the eyes of a very young heart. With that said, Sandy is welcoming any cards that anyone might send to McKenzie, and I would encourage you to pour out the same sentiments that you all have graciously provided here. Hopefully this will provide much needed solace as such cards arrive in a stream over the next few weeks and giving some positive emotions in the days to follow, and perhaps McKenzie also may read them again later in life for an appreciation of the people that Ken and Sandy have touched.
Sandy's home address, which she has asked that I share for this reason, is as follows:
Sandy King
977 Ravine Terrace
Rochester Hills, MI 48307
**************************************** ************
Update: Sunday, March 12, 2006 7:10 p.m. CST (est.)
I now have the complete time for the visitation and funeral and have updated them above. Visitation hours are expanded and the Thursday service is set at 2 p.m.
**************************************** ************
Brick Fund: I'm copying the post from blacksedan87 here (and thanks to him), in case folks don't see it since this thread is now so long:
"I just got off the telephone with Stephanie in the Membership Department at the NCM. A brick fund has already been established to honor our friend Ken. I imagine that there will be a formal announcement in the coming few days - but for those of you that expressed an interest in contributing....
Call the National Corvette Museum at 1-800-53-VETTE, ask for membership. Either Becky or Stephanie will assist you with your contribution to the brick fund. The plan is place a 2' x 2' brick with the Vette Essentials logo, and information on Ken King.
Thanks for your interest."
Also, reading even further in the thread, I see that there soon will be a new thread on the brick as is being put into place by Zack (y2k02c5).
Last edited by SteveL2; 03-13-2006 at 07:25 PM.
03-10-2006, 10:39 PM
#4
Uber Waxer
omg, i am floored!
i just met him at carlisle this past summer and my wife had emailed him recently a few times about doing an interior for my car.
my prayers go out to the family!
i just met him at carlisle this past summer and my wife had emailed him recently a few times about doing an interior for my car.
my prayers go out to the family!
03-10-2006, 10:40 PM
#5
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St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by 16Again
OMG 
03-10-2006, 10:42 PM
#6
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St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'10, '14
That is shocking. Ken was one of the good guys.
03-10-2006, 10:47 PM
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06
I can't believe it, when I read this I just went numb.
A while back I receive a bunch of free interior parts from Ken since the owner was going back to stock and the custom leather was navy blue. I then order some items from Ken but the leather didn't match correctly He search for months to find matching leather for me.
For his effort I decide to make him one of my corvette emblem.
Ken we will miss you
A while back I receive a bunch of free interior parts from Ken since the owner was going back to stock and the custom leather was navy blue. I then order some items from Ken but the leather didn't match correctly He search for months to find matching leather for me.
For his effort I decide to make him one of my corvette emblem.
Ken we will miss you
03-10-2006, 10:51 PM
#12
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So sorry to hear
03-10-2006, 10:52 PM
#13
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St. Jude Donor '07-'08
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WOW! WOW! WOW!
I am deeply saddened to hear of his loss...He will be missed!
Adam Boca and the staff of the National Corvette Museum
I am deeply saddened to hear of his loss...He will be missed!
Adam Boca and the staff of the National Corvette Museum
03-10-2006, 10:55 PM
#16
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Unbelievable!! I just got to know Ken and Sandy this past Christmas through phone conversations. He was such an up beat full of life person. I am very sorry to hear this has happened. My condolences and prayers go out to Sandy and family for such a great loss. If there's anything we as forum members can do I am sure we'll help out in anyway we can. I am just so sad this has happened.
03-10-2006, 10:58 PM
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
I am still in shock and feeling numb. I just talked to him. Ken contributed a lot to our forum and Corvette Community. I will miss him a lot 