NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Born on Dec. 30, 1954, In Salinas, Calif., Kenneth D. Wells passed away Dec. 9, 2015, at the age of 60.

In 1962 the Wells family moved to Kelseyville. Ken was a longtime member of the Clear Lake Junior Horseman, riding his prize horse Cricket.

While in high school Ken joined the Kelseyville Volunteer Fire Department at the age of 16. He also ran track and wrestled. But foremost he excelled in football playing linebacker.

After graduation Ken attended Yuba Junior College majoring in fire science and again playing football.

After college Ken worked for the California Division of Forestry as a seasonal firefighter. Ken took a job working for Bill Wolf at Lakeport Tire while still being a firefighter/volunteer with the Kelseyville Fire Department.

In 1980 Ken was hired full-time as a captain with Kelseyville Fire Department. He became a paramedic and field training officer and became an EMT instructor with Mendocino College on his days off. He covered shifts for Clearlake Oaks and Lucerne Fire Departments for five years and Lakeport for seven years.

In January 2007 Ken accepted the position of fire chief for Lakeport Fire Protection District until his retirement from the fire service April 30, 2014. Ken had been involved in fire service of some sort for over 44 years.

Ken was proceeded in death by his parents, Gilbert and Frances. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Lydia; brother, Lloyd (Marcia); sisters, Trish (Hans) and Kathy; son, Chad (Nyia); daughter, Brandie (Kendall); grandchildren, Haley, Dustin, Tailer, Joseph and Clayton; along with nephew, Gavin (Kricket); Gracie and Montana, and Darren (Nicole) and Landen, along with many close friends.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2015, at the Kelseyville High School Student Center at 1 p.m.

Family is requesting, in lieu of flowers, that donations can be made to the Lakeport Fire Protection District or Kelseyville Fire Protection District.