Kenneth (Ken) Cecil Plant
1952 – 2025
Kenneth (Ken) Cecil Plant, 72, of Orem, Utah, passed away on Tuesday February 4, 2025, after many years of valiantly battling recurring health challenges. Ken was born on February 21, 1952, to Walter and Marjorie Plant in Chicago, Illinois. After graduating from Maine South High School in 1970, he served a proselyting service mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Gulf States Mission. After his mission, he attended Brigham Young University, completing undergraduate work in Latin, and graduate work in their Master of Public Administration (MPA) program–however, during this time, his greatest focus of study was ultimately on winning the heart and mind of Catherine Lyn Starkey, to whom he was sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on August 26, 1975 (nearly 50 years ago).
Ken spent much of his professional career working within the nutraceutical and post-secondary education industries. An innate leader and trusted colleague, he had many opportunities throughout his career to serve, lift, and inspire others, ultimately finding great success and notable acclaim in many such pursuits, coupled with establishing many lifelong associations and friendships.
Ken was ultimately a devoted father, loving husband, and striving disciple of Jesus Christ. His discipleship was manifested in many aspects of his life as he sought to magnify the principles of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Throughout his ecclesiastical life, he served in many leadership capacities, cultivating a genuine character of integrity, compassion, and sacrifice for the spiritual and temporal welfare of others. He showed his love to others in many ways, but he most especially found joy in bringing friends, family, and neighbors together over good food, jovial company, and the same sociality that will exist among us throughout the eternities.
Ken is survived by his wife, Lyn, his 3 children, Aaron (Denise), Eden (Kim), and Rachel (Hiro), his 2 brothers, Walt and Alan (TK), and a legacy of 11 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Marjorie Plant; parents-in-law, Odell and Dorothy Starkey; sisters-in-law, Kate Plant, and Roxanne and Susan Starkey; and niece, Alicia Starkey. Ken’s efforts towards doing good in the world now continue beyond the veil, where he is no longer bound by the mortal, temporal frailties which so frequently constrained him later in life. He sought to be a mover and a shaker in this life, and he is now moving and shaking heaven and earth for our collective good.
Funeral services will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at the Orem Park Stake Center, located at 195 W. 300 S., Orem, Utah 84058. Immediately prior to the commencement of the funeral service, the family will meet with friends and associates from 1 to 1:45 PM. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at: 227 S. Royal Ann Circle, Orem, UT 84058.