Kenneth Parramore, 80, of Creswell, OR, passed away Friday, April 3, 2026.
He was born August 29, 1945, in Dothan, AL, to Durward and Inez Starling Parramore.
He graduated from Dothan High School in 1963 and from Auburn University in 1968 with a B.S. in History, a lifelong interest.
Ken set out to see the world and spent a year backpacking in Europe. Upon his return, he worked in New Orleans on the surveying crew for the construction of the Superdome. Then he joined a lifelong college friend to travel to San Francisco. From there, he attempted to hitchhike to Alaska, but was turned away at the Canadian border for lack of funds. He hitched a ride to Reno on a whim and found his niche. He worked in casinos for the next 20 years, starting at entry level and progressing through the ranks.
Ken married Nancy McLaughlin, who had family in Oregon. They spent vacations in Oregon and moved to Creswell in 1995. Nancy passed away in 2008. Ken worked at the Springfield post office and retired in 2010. In retirement, he volunteered at the Creswell Elementary School and the Creswell Library. Here he met Verlean McCoy, who became his best friend and “let’s grow old together” partner. They enjoyed travel and took trips by plane, train, automobile, RV, bus and boat in-country and out. Ken was a lifelong learner. His pastimes were reading, gardening, cooking, hiking, movies, and current events. His political views were known to his friends. He was quiet but not shy, an animal lover, witty, smart, kind, generous, loyal and soft-hearted.
Ken was predeceased by his parents, his wife Nancy, and his brother Stephen. He is survived by brother Tom (Frances) of Cheyenne; sister-in-law Diana Meredith of Seattle, step-daughter Junita Minichino (Michael) of Denton, TX, and her children Quentin, Keeley and Collin. Also, nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and Verlean, his last love.
A celebration of life will be held on May 2, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Creswell Historic Schoolhouse, 195 South 2nd Street in Creswell, OR.
