Kenneth Gordon Mast, 76

Kenneth Gordon Mast, 76, passed away Jan. 17, 2010, at his home in Whitefish, from complications of COPD and heart failure. Ken was born Feb. 22, 1933, in Los Angeles, to Bernice Stevens and Sam Mast. He grew up in Southern California. His family moved frequently, living in a trailer when they moved to La Junta, Colo., where his parents grew up. Ken attended school in La Junta, but traveled back and forth to California with his father. When the Korean War started, Ken joined the Army and was shipped to Japan. He was sent into battle in Korea where he spent Thanksgiving and Christmas in minus-35 degree temperatures. Ken took part in the battle of Inchon and was one of the Chosin Few who survived the battle at the Chosin Reservoir. His troop consisted of 300 men, but in the end there were only three remaining to find their way back to their ship at the Inchon harbor to get out. Ken was awarded two bronze stars and was honorably discharged from the Army in 1953. He worked for the government after the war in Kansas, California and Nebraska. He was later hired by AeroJet. Ken was instrumental in the manufacture of the different stages of the MX missile. He led a team that inspected the missile stages for conformance to quality standards as a quality engineer. He retired as quality director. Ken loved Alaska. He traveled there many times with his wife, Donna. Ken very much enjoyed fishing and boating there. Traveling in his trailer to Alaska was a dream that came true many times for him. One of his wishes was to someday live there. Ken has been a resident of Whitefish since 1996. He is survived by his wife, Donna; three sons, Ken Jr., and wife, Judy, of Indiana, Sam and wife, Patti, of Idaho, Howard of Indiana; and one daughter, Vicki, of California; seven grandchildren, one great-grandchild; and many cousins and other family members in Colorado. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, at St. Peter Lutheran Church with Pastor James Maxwell officiating. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Austin Funeral Home, followed by a prayer service at 7 p.m. Inurnment and burial will be at a later date in LaJunta, Colo. Memorials may be made to St. Peter Lutheran Church or to Hospice.