Kenneth M. LaMont

Kenneth M. LaMont passed away August 4th after accepting the challenge of ALS / Lou Gehrig\u0027s Disease with courage and humility. He was born in Minnesota and always was proud of his Minneapolis roots. Ken played in the Roosevelt High School orchestra and led his own band at age 15. He left Minnesota in 1961 (age 20) for a road trip on Route 66 to The Rose Bowl. He was compelled to stay in the west and dropped out of the University of Minnesota later finishing his undergrad degree at San Fernando Valley State. After marrying Bonnie in L.A., they were drawn to the Pacific Northwest and Oregon State University where he finished his Master\u0027s Degree in counseling and school psychology teaching was his calling; and their son Mark was born. Their love of Oregon drew them to teaching at Madras High School in 1967 and then to Bend where Ken was a counselor at Bend High and District Director of Counseling and Testing. In 1980 he accepted a position as an Associate Professor of Counseling and Human Development at Central Oregon Community College and was elected President of the Oregon Counseling Association. Oregon ignited his love of nature, adventure and the inner peace that he felt during those many years of running wild rivers, climbing mountains, fly fishing, hiking, camping, skiing, while sharing many of those great times with his son Mark LaMont. After his second marriage to Viki ended, he moved to Palm Desert, California where he met and married the love of his life Theresa. (The third time is a charm!) He accepted a faculty position at College of the Desert as Counselor then Director of Counseling and Career Center Coordinator where he also served as Academic Senate President (1990-91) and represented C.O.D. on the chancellor\u0027s state-wide commission for career education (2002-06). His life was much more than his career and could be summarized as a lover of life, curious traveler and adventurer. Some of the highlights included travel in Nepal with his wife Theresa and son Mark to sponsor a complete education for two orphans as part of the Ten Friends non-profit program. In addition, leading a 17-day raft and kayaking expedition down the Grand Canyon with his son and friends. Other peak experiences included climbing Mt. Jefferson, North Sister and many of the beautiful Cascades that he loved, climbing Mt. San Gorgonio in Southern California with several members of the faculty of C.O.D., as well as remote camping and hiking with his college friends in the southwest. His enthusiasm brought those he knew to experience river and hiking adventures that were memorable and spiritually rewarding. He was appointed to the Riverside County Trail Commission serving from 2002-2006. After 20 years in Palm Desert, Ken and Theresa retired to Cottonwood, AZ where they enjoyed exploring the natural beauty of the Verde Valley. Ken volunteered as a Site Steward for the State of Arizona and was a member of the Arizona Archaeology Society strongly believing our Native American history is precious and needed to be preserved. He is survived by his loving wife and "hero" Theresa LaMont and his adventurous son Mark who helps others less fortunate by dedicating his support in Nepal. Survivors also include his loving sister Jillaine Wegner (Carl) of Grand Rapids, MN, niece Char Komoto, and nephew Eric Wegner. He leaves behind a loving family and a host of lifelong friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ALS Association of America or Ten Friends Organization (www.tenfriends.org) Ken always felt grateful and lucky to have lived 72 healthy and active years prior to being diagnosed with Lou Gehrig\u0027s Disease, and still felt the joy of loving and being loved as he passed away. ALS Association Arizona Chapter 360 E. Coronado, Suite 140 Phoenix, AZ 85004 Phone: (602) 297-3800 or Ten Friends (www.tenfriends.org)