Ken C. Essary, 66 years old of Rapid City, SD passed away in his sleep unexpectedly at his home in the early hours of March 9, 2021.

Ken was born on September 8, 1954 to William Essary and Beatrice (Clark) Essary in Berea, Kentucky. As a child, Ken lived in several states due to his father’s civil service job working on the Minuteman Missile Program. In 1971 Ken and his family moved to Rapid City, SD. He graduate from Rapid City Stevens High School in 1972. After graduation Ken moved to Denver, CO to attend Barnes Business College for 2 semesters for computer programming. Ken married the love of his life Linda Mae White on September 8, 1972 in Rapid City. They continued to live in Denver until 1975 when they moved back to Rapid City after the birth of their daughter Laura. His son Greg was born in 1980 to complete the family that was his pride and joy. Ken worked in various construction jobs, building houses, cabinetry, and then started in sales of electrical and welding supplies. In 1997 he became the Inside Sales Manager at Norandex selling a full line of building products. In 2000 Ken started his 20 year career with Alside as the Operations/Branch Manager where his knowledge and expertise in building supplies was invaluable to his customers and contractors. Many friendships were made in his position as his customer service skills and product knowledge brought him much recognition.

His favorite hobbies included riding his Harley Davidson and listening to music. Whether it was AC/DC or Metallica, Ken always thought the harder...and the louder, the better. Ken spent countless hours outdoors hunting deer, antelope, pheasants or any other wild game. He loved packing around his rifle and being on the hunt with his family and friends. Fall and winter meant bowling. He spent countless years bowling in Men’s league on Wednesday nights and couple’s league on Friday night. His bowling career was highlighted by a 300 game during one of his Friday night games.

And anyone that knew Ken also knew his love for softball, especially the team he helped start with his friend Jeff McIntyre in 1985...The Wild Bunch. For over 30 years, summers would find Ken at the softball fields in Rapid City, playing tournaments all over the Black Hills as well as playing in annual tournaments in Casper, Hermosa and Keystone. His love for the game kept him playing well into his 50s which allowed him to realize his dream of sharing the diamond with his son. No softball season was ever complete without one final cheer with his softball family...WILLLLLDDDD BUNCH!!! Butt up, face down!

Ken is survived by his wife Linda; children and spouses Laura and Mike McCarthy and Greg and Megan Essary; Grandchildren Dawsen, Jagar, and Brystal McCarthy, Sarayha, and Adam Essary; Sister-in-law Shirley Essary, Fargo, ND; niece Nichole Essary-Hubbard, CA, husband Jon and children Eliza & Vance; nephews Tony Peters, wife Kim and son Bradley; Beau Cloutier and Geoff Cloutier; his extended family of brothers in-laws and sisters in-laws including Dotty Esposito, Henderson, NV; Helen Olney, Pahrump, NV; Cathy and Darrell Emerson, Sun City West, AZ; Hal and Pat White, Las Vegas, NV; Fran and Joe Cersosimo, Janet and Ralph Amundson, Trish and Ray Jones, Lonnie and Estella White, all of Rapid City; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents William and Beatrice, stepmother Jacqueline; brother William “Bill” Fred Essary, sisters Linda Peters, and Barbara Cloutier.