Kenneth Richard Casford Jr.

Kenneth Ken R. Casford, Jr., 89, passed away peacefully in La Mirada, CA on April 10, 2017. Born on May 28, 1927 in Oklahoma City, OK, Ken was born to his parents Kenneth R. Casford, Sr. & Edith P. (Miller) Casford. In 1948, Ken married the love of his life, Norma Jean Phillips of Manhattan, KS. Together they had two children, Martha & Richard. He influenced many lives, and he will be greatly missed by his family and community.



Growing up, Ken attended schools in Syracuse, NY, Dallas, TX and Kansas City, MO. After graduating high school, he was employed as a secretary to the General Manager of the Kansas City Terminal Railroad. In 1945, he was drafted into the Army Air Corp and was stationed in Natal, Brazil during World War II. He served as a Staff Sergeant in base operations command in Brazil.



Upon returning home from the war, Ken enrolled at the University of Southern California where he graduated with a degree in Transportation. He was sub sequentially employed by the Santa Fe Railroad in Los Angeles. He soon became the Managing Editor for GO Magazine - Transport Times of the West, a publication of the California Trucking Association in Los Angeles, CA. In 1952, Kens lifelong interest in railroads prompted him to start a mail-order hobby shop called Boxcar Ken which provided trains and parts for scale railroad hobbyists around the world. Ken took his passion for the railroad to the next level when he became involved with the Riverside Live Steamers, operating a miniature steam-powered railroad in Hunter Hobby Park in Riverside. He was a member of the Riverside Live Steamers for 47 years and a past president.



In 1951, Ken and Norma moved to Whittier. After living in Whittier for over a decade, Ken and Norma founded Whittier Mailing Service in 1964. Whittier Mailing Service was a full-service commercial mailing firm with clients all throughout the western states. Ken retired in 1998 from the daily operations, but remained Chairman of the Board until his death.



Ken was deeply committed to his community. He was a proud member of the Whittier Host Lions Club for 53 years and a past president. He was the only Whittier Host Lion, in the clubs 95 year history, to ever be awarded a Life Membership earning notoriety from the Lions International Board of Directors for his outstanding dedication and service to the club in Whittier. Ken also served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for several years at the Whittier First United Methodist Church where he and Norma have been members for 66 years. Ken leaves a remarkable legacy, which is due to his deep sense of commitment to the people in his life (his family and community) and his integrity for always doing what was right.



Ken is survived by his wife of 68 years, Norma; his daughter Martha L. Tarter, Portland, OR; his son Richard A. Casford, Whittier, CA; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.



A public viewing will be held from 7:00pm-8:30pm on Tuesday, April 18 at White Emerson Mortuary, 13304 E. Philadelphia St., Whittier. A memorial service in Kens honor will be held on Wednesday, April 19 at 1:30pm at Whittier First United Methodist Church, 13222 Bailey, Whittier. In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Kens life with donations to the PIH Health Foundation OR the Whittier Host Lions Club Memorial Scholarship Fund.