Kendall Alexis Wilson

Kendall Alexis Wilson passed away peacefully on December 26, 2025, at the age of 85, after a more-than-decade-long journey with strokes, cancer, and dementia. Born in Windom, Minnesota, but raised “everywhere,” Ken’s life was defined by relentless forward motion, fierce intelligence, and a creative spirit.

Ken served his country with extraordinary distinction in the United States Army. He arrived in Vietnam as a First Lieutenant in the 3rd Special Forces Group (Green Berets).  Soon after, he was reassigned to the 101st Airborne Division as a platoon leader, during which time he was seriously wounded in combat. Ken’s actions with the 101st Airborne were recognized with an Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device (for heroism), a Bronze Star, a Silver Star, and two Purple Hearts, among others.

Promoted to Captain, he returned to Vietnam as an “A-Team” commander and executive officer in the 5th Special Forces Group, where he recruited and trained 245 mountain tribesmen guerrilla fighters and later commanded the force sent to relieve the 5th Special Forces Group Detachment A-101 at Lang Vei. He later served as the Commanding General’s chief training inspector at the world’s largest military training center.

Ken had been told that his injury in Vietnam would prevent him from walking again. But after a long recovery, he became an avid runner, completing countless marathons—a testament to his resilience and determination.

His dedication to learning was evident throughout his life. He earned a dual bachelor’s degree in advertising and graphic design from the University of Washington, followed by post-baccalaureate studies in political science and conflict resolution through the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, the Medical Field Service School, the Military Adviser’s Language School, the Washington Military Academy, and NATO chemical, biological, and radiological warfare programs. He later earned a master’s degree in organizational psychology from Antioch University.

Ken’s post-military career was also remarkable, including executive roles at Cole & Weber Advertising, McCann Erickson Worldwide, Washington Energy Company (now Puget Sound Energy). With his firm Wilson International Consulting, he designed and managed marketing turnaround programs for Fortune 500 clients. His creative work earned numerous major advertising awards, including a CLIO, three “World’s Best Radio” awards, and “Best in the West.”

But those who loved Ken knew him best through the small moments: the sketches he drew on his daughters’ lunch bags; his quick wit and dry humor; his colorful stories that could make a room come alive; and his big blue eyes that saw the world with both precision and wonder. He was incredibly smart and strong yet held an open heart for his girls (and his four-legged friends). He painted. He wrote. He studied history. He ran. He loved lemon meringue pie; a fresh pair of Nikes; well-pressed jeans; a good burger and beer; properly shined brown dress shoes; classical music and opera, but also Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson; classic cars; and surprising us with words in foreign languages we didn’t know he spoke.

Ken was married to Laurie for 25 years, with whom he raised two daughters, Melissa and Alexis. He spent the rest of his life with his beloved Susan, who walked beside him through many wonderful years in Seattle, adventures near and far, and the long goodbye that dementia demanded. Though his health prevented him from fully knowing his five grandchildren in the way he would have wanted, his legacy of creativity, grit, and love clearly lives on in them.

Ken was a man of contradictions and complexity—a warrior and an artist, tough and tender, always moving forward even when the path was difficult. Dementia slowly took pieces of him over the years, but it could never touch what mattered most: the love he gave so freely, the laughter he sparked so easily, and the indelible mark he left on the lives he touched.

Ken is survived by his partner, Susan; his daughters, Melissa and Alexis; his grandchildren, Connor, Blake, Jack, Thea, and Marlowe; and many others who were changed by knowing him.

Ring the bells

that can still ring.

Forget your perfect offering.

There is a crack in everything.

That’s how the light gets in.

—Leonard Cohen