Kenneth Eugene Gourley

1927 - 2023

SAN DIEGO — Kenneth Eugene Gourley was born on August 3, 1927, in Milltown,

New Jersey, where he grew up with his parents, John and Viola Gourley, and his eight siblings. Except for a younger sister, Ken was the youngest in the family.

In 1944, while World II was still being fought, Ken graduated from South River High School and shortly thereafter, enlisted in the United States Merchant Marine. After the completion of his service, he was drafted into the United States Army. He served in the Army as a military policeman in Fort Huachuca, Arizona. It was during these years that Ken met and married his wife of seventy years, Carol Ann Bauer.

Upon receiving an honorable discharge, Ken and Carol went to live in Carol’s hometown of Los Angeles, California, where Ken found employment as a police officer with the Los Angeles Police Department.

An on-the-job injury forced him into an early retirement from the force.

Ken then studied for and obtained his real estate broker’s license.

After several years in the real estate business, Ken and Carol moved their family to San Diego County.

For the next twenty years, Ken worked for the County of San Diego.

His first position was with the Welfare Department. He later switched to the Public Administrator’s office, where he eventually retired as Deputy Public Administrator of San Diego County.

Ken spent his retirement years living in North San Diego County. He enjoyed traveling, crossword puzzles, Padres baseball games and working out with weights.

Kenneth Gourley always took great pride in his service to the United States Merchant Marine and the United States Army.

Ken is survived by his wife, Carol, his sister, Alma, two sons, a daughter-inlaw, and one grandchild. His one daughter and seven of his siblings have predeceased him.

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