Kenneth Glines Workman, age 87, passed away on Friday, March 18, 2022, in his home surrounded by his family and close friends.
Ken was born on December 24, 1934, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Jacob Ancil and Loa Meryl Glines Workman. He was raised in Salt Lake City, Brigham City, and Orem, Utah. He attended Lincoln High School, where he was a student leader, and Brigham Young University.
Ken married Margie Bell Tolman on July 22, 1954, in the Manti Utah Temple. Margie passed away in 1980. Together Margie and Ken raised six children: Becky Workman, Murray, Utah, Julie (Carl) Chapman, Hurricane, Utah, Joel (Heather) Workman, South Weber, Utah, Thomas (Valerie) Workman, Layton, Utah, Karen (Darrel) Trost, Sandy, Utah, and Melissa (Shane) Smith, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Ken’s professional career was with the Utah National Guard. He was a full-time First Sergeant in the 1457 Engineer Battalion based in Provo, Utah. Later, he was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer and transferred to Headquarters in Salt Lake City. He spent many years as the Utah National Guard Executive Director and was later elected Executive Director of the National Guard Association of the United States. During his years in the Guard, he traveled throughout the United States and made many lifelong friends.
Everyone called Ken “Grandpa” whether he was their grandpa or not. Most will remember the Christmas coin grabs, the happy birthday voicemails, and the countless donations toward various fundraisers. He showed up for every event possible and rarely turned down a road trip, whether it was to Grantsville to watch horseback riding, Denver for a basketball tournament, Cedar City for EFY drop off, California for cheerleading camp, Vegas for an orchestra performance, or Layton for a football game or a high school musical. And he always – always loved a ride up the canyon.
Ken was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and demonstrated his discipleship of the Savior through his unnumbered, and mostly unseen, acts of service. He was kind and generous to everyone; freely offering a meal, a place to stay, and any other means of assistance. He taught us that we should never judge by appearances or beliefs, but always accept and love one another regardless of our differences or circumstances.
Ken is preceded in death by his beloved wife Margie, his brother Bobby and his parents. He is survived by his sister Reva and brother Earl, his six children, 23 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and his friends too numerous to list.
Services to honor Ken’s life will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at 11:00 am at the chapel located at 5235 South Wesley Road, Murray, Utah.
Visitation with the family will be held the evening prior 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm and immediately preceding the service 9:30 – 10:30 am. Both visitations will be held at the Wesley Road location. In lieu of flowers, please perform an act of service for someone in need or donate to a charity of your choice. Some of dad’s favorites include https://intermountainhealthcare.org/primary-childrens/give ; https://sout.org/get-involved/become-a-donor and https://theroadhome.org/give-main/ Full obituary may be found, and online condolences may be shared, at https://70s.230.myftpupload.com
8 Comments
I was blessed to have Ken as my “Other Father”. They say it takes a Village, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the Village I was surrounded by. He took me in like his own, despite having to continue raising 6 kids of his own. He was an amazing man & this world was a better place because he was in it.
Much love to the Family! He’ll always be in my heart!
Condolences to all family members, it was a great honor to host and allow a wonderful person like Ken to see a little bit of Italy.
R.I.P and enjoy eternal life.
We will miss you very much
Ivano
I’m so sorry for your loss. Your dad sounds like a wonderful person.
Offend times used to sit next to Ken at LDS Sunday school and Priesthood meeting, one time the Bishop said the Boy Scouts fund was short $200.00, when no one was looking Ken made out a check for the full amount and with out a word took it to the Bishop, I was the only one to see him do it. That was what kind a Man he was.R.I.P
I was able to serve in the national guard with !st Sgt Workman for over 10 yeara. He was always a fair man and treated us well.. Thank you “mother” workman.
Sgt Charles Pyne
Ken and Margie were among the first friends I made when I moved to Orem to marry my former husband, David Jensen. Their kindness and warmth is something I have remembered all these years. Ken had a smile that was unforgettable and I am sure that smile is beaming all the brighter now that he and Margie are reunited.
I loved everything about Kenneth and appreciated all the many years of friendship and association with he and Margie. Your family is in our prayers!
We were very sorry to hear of Ken’s passing. He was a wonderful neighbor for so many years. We express our love and condolences to the family..May the family find comfort in the knowledge that Ken and Margie are together again.
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