Kenneth Fallon Jr.

1937 – 2024

Kenneth Paul Fallon Jr. of Idaho Falls, Idaho passed away Thursday, January 18, 2024. The world became a better place 86 years ago on April 21, 1937, when Ken was born. He was known as Kenny by his parents, Geneva Evelyn Whisenant and Kenneth Paul Fallon Sr. His life began in the small oil town of Big Spring, Texas, the only child and the first grandchild. He grew to the age of five years old in this sleepy little place. Soon after, his family moved to Spanish Fork, Utah, where he went to school and graduated. Here, Ken found faith and learned to hunt. At the age of 15, Ken suffered from polio and proved he had an incredible will to live. We affectionately referred to Ken as the father with nine lives. He had a beautiful singing voice with perfect pitch, and he played the trumpet and French horn. He lost his musical abilities when he had polio. He earned his master’s degree in social work and helped thousands of people in Alaska, South Dakota, California, Utah, and Idaho. He was an incredibly compassionate man, a natural listener, and a kind and gentle soul. Ken loved children and was famous for his play therapy. In his first marriage, he had three children: Pamela (Elly) Elizabeth Draper (Jeffrey), Kirk Patrick Fallon-deceased, and Jean Marie Steele (Wayne). Ken met his soulmate in Alaska on Valentine’s Day while on a blind date, and it was love at first sight. They were married on August 6, 1977, in Palmer, Alaska, where they resided for the next two decades. He became a father to David (Dave) Geoffrey Cornelius and Tamia Jennifer Cornelius. Ken wore many hats: husband to Elizabeth (Betty) Jean Tinney Cornelius for 46 years, father, therapist, school board member-president, author of the newspaper column “The Old Man and Me,” and many acts of service. Ken was passionate about hunting and hunted frequently between Alaska and the Rockies. He hunted bear, deer, Dall sheep, elk, antelope, moose, and pheasant. He even won a hunting safari in Africa. The freezer was nearly always full of his catch. He often had hunting dogs to help him flush and retrieve birds, typically a Brittany Spaniel named Sam. In 2003, Ken and Elizabeth moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho to care for Ken’s father, who lived until he was 96. They have lived in Idaho Falls for over 20 years and consider it their home. It brings us all great peace to know that Ken was welcomed home by his parents, son, and hunting dogs. He briefly leaves behind his wife, four children, 15 grandchildren, and soon-to-be 10 great-grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held in his honor at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 27, 2024, at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1730 St. Clair (corner of 17th and St. Clair), Idaho Falls. For those unable to attend, the service will be broadcast live over Facebook at www.facebook.com/stpaulsidahofalls. Please wear bright colors and be prepared to laugh, as well as cry; luncheon to follow. Cremation is under the care of Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First Street, Idaho Falls. Online condolences may be sent to www.coltrinmortuary.com.