Kenneth Lee Kerl

Kenneth Lee Kerl, a.k.a. Pine Valley Ken, of Pine Valley, California, passed away on Saturday, February 5, 2022, at the age of 84. He was born on May 19, 1937 in Pomona, California and grew up in El Cajon, California. His family moved from Pomona to Del Mar to La Jolla to Rolando and then settled in El Cajon in 1948. Ken went to Grossmont High School and then El Cajon Valley High School, graduating in 1956 with its first graduating class.

Before Ken’s senior year, he joined the United States Naval Reserve. After the Bay of Pigs Invasion, Ken was recalled into active duty, serving in Southeast Asia. He received his Honorable Discharge in 1963.

The summer after high school, Ken began his career with the Pacific Telephone Company and worked many jobs for them for almost 35 years. In 1973, while still working full time for the telephone company, Ken opened the Kerl Milling and Feed Company in Spring Valley. The mill produced a special mix of alfalfa and molasses for horses and other animals.

Ken moved to Pine Valley in 1985 with his wife and three children. He became involved with the Mountain Empire Men’s Club, Pine Valley Days & craft fair, played Santa at Christmas time for multiple years, and volunteered many hours to Mountain Empire Schools and sports.

Ken is preceded in death by his parents, Bernadine Warner and Herbert Kerl, and his sister JoAnn Mortenson.

He is survived by his wife, Catherine Kerl of Pine Valley; daughter Karen Johnson of La Grande, OR; son Kevin Kerl of La Grande, OR, son Keith Kerl of Willits, CA; son Michael Kerl of Las Vegas, NV; daughter Miranda Werner of Alpine, CA; daughter Crystal Nelson of Culver City, CA; and son Kyle Keeran of San Diego, CA. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

We will miss Ken’s many stories and unique outlook on life. We wish him peace.

We are planning a Celebration of Life reunion near his birthday in May at his family home in Pine Valley.