Kenneth Erick Perin was the eldest and only son born to Eloise (Johnson) and Eddie Perin on January 18 ^th , 1948 in Spokane Washington.  Ken was raised in Priest River Idaho joined by sister Janis a year later, another sister Lisa 6 years after that, and finally 11 years after that, little sister, Shirley.  Ken also had an older half-sister, Sandra, born during WWII from a former marriage.  Although Sandra lived thousands of miles away in Scotland, the siblings were able to build a strong relationship, were very much connected through their bright red hair and love for one another.

Ken picked up the clarinet in the 5 ^th grade and found the joy of music. He also enjoyed choir and ballroom dancing with his mother.  Unfortunately, 4 days after Ken's 14 ^th birthday, tragedy struck the family with the death of his mother, Eloise. The family remained resilient and continued forward, although they felt the loss deeply.

Aside from excelling at the clarinet and gaining the honor of first chair in high school, Ken was a great athlete in high school.  He was a 4-year football letterman at Priest River High School.  He was nominated by another coach in the league and made 1 ^st Team All State his senior year.  During high school, he worked at Safeway in Oldtown.  He attended the American Lutheran Church in Newport where he was confirmed in 1963.  Upon graduating from Priest River High School in 1966, he was presented an award for 4 years of perfect attendance.

After high school, Ken attended Lewis & Clark Normal (now Lewis & Clark State) in Lewiston, Idaho.  He continued to play the clarinet and became the conductor of the band in college.  Ken completed his student teaching in Priest River and graduated with a degree in Education in 1971.  His first teaching job out of school was in Troy, Idaho where he taught English for a couple of years.  After that, he returned to his roots and began teaching English at Priest River Lamanna High School.

Ken was a member of the Pend Oreille County Posse, enjoyed going dancing, and played in the recreation adult softball league.  By 1989 Ken accepted an English teaching position at Newport High School until he retired.  Ken coached football, wrestling, taught drama, and advised the students in annual (The Bruin).  Ken always remembered every detail about each of the students that walked through the hallways he taught no matter how many years passed.  It didn't matter if they sat in his classroom or not.  Mr. Perin cared about every student, every day.  He expected decorum and wanted success for all of his students.

Ken fought a long battle with multiple health issues and passed away on December 2 ^nd at Cheney Care Center with his niece, Kaitlyn (Austin) Stoudt of Spokane, and nephew, Jordan Perin (Kayley), by his side.

Ken is preceded in death by his mother Eloise, his father Eddie, his sister Shirley Perin, and his half-sister Sandra Goldie.  Ken is survived by sisters Janis (Denny) Martindale of Newport and Lisa (Roger) Vallieres of Spokane, stepdaughter Becky (Joel) Fishburn and her three children of Newport, uncle Sonny (Lavelle) Perin of Alaska, and Aunt Bonnie Flatum of Spokane.  Ken also leaves behind a trove of nieces and nephews, Charlotte (Keith) Brown of Montana, Shawn (LuAnn) Gillespie of Arizona, Terry (Christi) Gillespie of Wenatchee, Caroline (Farquhar) Wilson of Scotland, Jason (Andrea) Vallieres of Spokane, Allen (Patricia) Goldie of Scotland, Laurie (Nicole) Vallieres of Lacey, and Cory (Mariah) Martindale of Post Falls. Ken is also survived by numerous great nieces and nephews along with one great, great, niece and many cousins. Ken's entire family have enjoyed and will miss his various (sometimes long) stories of his students and athletes over the decades.  The school was his life, he was a dedicated teacher and coach his entire career.

The service for Kenneth will be held on December 17 ^th , 2021 at 1:00PM at the Sherman-Campbell Funeral home in Newport, Washington.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Newport Maws and Paws Booster Club for athletic scholarships

Sherman-Campbell Funeral & Cremation Services in Priest River is in charge of arrangements.  Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book at shermancampbell.com .