Obituary of Kenneth James Jannison

Kenneth “Ken” Jannison, who was born on February 16, 1949 in Seattle, WA passed away on April 6, 2024, from a brain aneurism in Seattle, WA. He was 75 years old.

As a teenager, Ken worked summers at Post Luggage, owned by Alex Postnikov, where he excelled at the luggage making craft and formed a lifelong friendship with Alex.

Ken graduated from West Seattle High School in 1967, where he participated in Track & Field as a pole vaulter. He continued his passion for the sport at Central Washington State College (now known as Central Washington University) where he held a 13’6” record for pole vaulting. Ken graduated in June of 1971 with a major in Recreation.

After graduation Ken worked for the WA State Parks & Recreation system for several years but eventually transitioned into the building industry where he showcased his passion and expertise as an expert craftsman. He founded Real Wood Builders and dedicated himself to building and remodeling homes. Ken’s carpentry handiwork is evident not only in their own home, but in almost all of the homes of Ken’s friends and family. They have something he touched or built that’s in their lives today and will leave them with the feeling that they will always ‘have him around’. Ken was also known as “Everybody’s Best Man” often standing up with friends who held him in high esteem.

In May of 1987 Ken met Christy Doll. This was a blind date set up through his college friend Mark Larios where their first date was to Longacres Racetrack (as he had a passion for horse racing) and apparently won her over with his excellent handicapping skills as they married three years later on August 3, 1990. The couple shared a love for their dogs, country dancing, entertaining, remodeling their home, and traveling to sunny destinations.

Ken’s hobbies included spending time at the Jannison family cabin (which he built from the ground up) on Tee Lake near Tahuya, WA where he enjoyed boating, fishing, swimming, and water skiing with his friends and family. Ken was also an avid snow skier and in his later years also took up golf which he enjoyed playing with his college buddies on a regular basis.

Ken is survived by his beloved wife, Christy Doll Jannison, their dog and Ken’s best pal Jimmy, and his two brothers George and Ben Jannison. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Louise Jannison.

Ken’s legacy as a dedicated craftsman, loving husband, and cherished friend will forever be remembered by all who knew him.