Kenneth P. Petticolas, 61

Kenneth Patrick Petticolas, 61, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016.

Ken was born Feb. 8, 1955, in Corona, Calif., to Frank and Laverna Petticolas. He graduated from Corona High School in 1973. Attended New Mexico State on a football scholarship before transferring to the University of Idaho where he played as a “mild mannered defensive line backer.” He graduated in 1977 with a B.S. in physical education.

Ken taught and coached football at Clarkston High School while working as a developmental disabilities counselor with Opportunities Unlimited. He additionally was a minor owner of a Moscow Idaho fitness facility.

He later started a new career selling life insurance and financial services products through the Ohio National Life Insurance Company. Due to the amount of health insurance he wrote for Blue Cross of Idaho, he was offered the opportunity to be their district manager. He enjoyed success with Blue Cross of Idaho and was asked to relocate to the Coeur d’Alene market.

The self-employment bug was gnawing at Ken. He eventually left Blue Cross of Idaho and started Petticolas & Son Financial with his son, Peter. Specializing in employee benefits and financial services. He represented respected clients such as Light House Salad Dressings and United Retail Merchants. Many of Ken’s friends were clients first.

Ken’s zeal and passion for life, family and sports were evident anytime you talked with him. His love of coaching throughout his life was another component that he enjoyed greatly. He always had a ready ear and a warm heart for whoever needed one. His compassion for youth and disabled people in his earlier career always held a special place in his heart for them. He loved his dogs and family very much and was central part of any conversations that were going on in his life. His warm heart and easy to talk to manner made him many friends in his lifetime and he was bigger than life and we are grateful for the years we had with him.

Ken is survived by his wife of 36 years, Debbie Petticolas whom he married March 7, 1980. Ken sadly leaves behind: three boys Brett, Peter and Joseph Petticolas; his two daughters-in-law, Hiedi and Lauren Petticolas; seven grandchildren Tayler, Konner, Natalie, Tami, Hudson, Callista and Justin; Ken’s twin brother Kevin and his wife, Cathy Petticolas, of Lake Havasu, Ariz.; sister and brother-in-law Tom and Pam Skinner of Clarkston, Wash.; Mike and Becky Stimak of Cadillac Michigan; and many nieces, nephews and extended family.

Preceding Ken in death was his father, Frank; mother Laverna; sister-in-law and her husband, Donna and George Ruddell; and many of his cherished bulldogs.

The Petticolas family would like to give a special thank you to the staff of the Hospice House in Coeur d’Alene for all their loving care and support. Additionally memorial donations can be made to them.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016, at St. Pius Catholic Church in Coeur d’Alene. Final resting place will be at Normal Hill Cemetery in Lewiston, Idaho, next to his parents.