Kenneth C. Hayden

Ken Hayden, a long-time resident of Rangely, passed away peacefully on March 1st, after a ten month stay at Capella Assisted Living in Grand Junction. Ken is survived by his sons Mark Hayden (Donna) and Kris Hayden, his two grandchildren Tim Hayden (Karen) and Shanna Coulter and his four great-grandchildren, Hunter Hayden, Kennedy Hayden, Kylan Coulter and Hayden Coulter. He is also survived by his brothers Darryl Hayden (Syb) and Ron Hayden (Pam).

Ken was preceded in death by his wife Betty, his son Kent Carl Hayden, and his parents Floyd Hayden and Edna Harvie (Carl).

Ken was born in Grand Junction, on May 31st 1935. His family moved to Rangely in 1946 and he started school in what is now the Rangely Museum. He graduated from Rangely High School in 1953 and then went to meat cutting school in Toledo, Ohio. Upon his return, he married his high school sweetheart, Betty Percifield, and started working in the family grocery business. He operated Bestway through four locations until his retirement.

Ken enjoyed hunting, camping, fishing, shooting guns, and photography. He was a true marksman. After retirement he spent most of his time camping in the White River Valley above Meeker and all over Colorado. He even snuck in some trips to Montana and Wyoming. In the 1970s he started shooting and hunting with black powder rifles. He shot competitively and won multiple state titles in Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and Idaho. In the 1980s he started shooting handgun silhouettes and won state titles in Colorado, as well as being a top placer in the international handgun shoot in 1981. Anybody who knew him, knows how competitive he was. In his later years, he started biking and hiking a lot. On his 50th birthday he rode his bicycle from Rangely to Grand Junction over Douglas Pass. He also could spend hours talking about guns to anyone who wanted to listen. He will be greatly missed by anyone who knew him. 

Graveside Services for Kenneth will be held, Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 11 am at the Rangely Cemetery.