Kenneth James Lepere passed away peacefully on June 12, 2025 in San Ramon, California. He was 96 years old.

Ken was born on the kitchen table of the family home in Providence, Rhode Island on September 4, 1928. He was the seventh of eight children born to William Biagio and Minnie Maud Lepere. Ken attended Providence city schools until he joined the Navy at age 17. He served his entire enlistment aboard the newly commissioned USS Hamner (DD-718) where he was a proud Plank Owner. Ken believed his assignment to that ship started a 70-year streak. He met the love of his life, Billie Marie Andress at a dance in San Diego, the Hamner’s first port. Six days later he asked Billie to marry him. She said “I’ll think about it,” and got back to him the following year with “yes”. They were happily married for 68 years until Billie’s passing in 2017. When Ken was discharged from the Navy, Billie urged him on to college at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Poly Green and Mustang Gold ever after ran in his veins. After college, Ken started working in the aluminum industry, primarily at Reynolds and Kaiser Aluminum. The family moved several times as he built his career. In the early 70’s Ken established and successfully ran his own contracting company for 25 years. Following retirement, he consulted for Kaiser and provided expert witness testimony over a period of years. Ken was a sports fan, particularly baseball. In chapters of life, he played it, coached it and as a former Oakland A’s season ticket holder, he loved to watch it. In their retirement years, Ken and Billie loved to travel, attend jazz festivals, Navy reunions, and any event involving a grand or great-grandchild. Ken is survived by his brother William Lepere of North Attleboro MA, three children, Cindy Brown (Charlie) of Merced, Steve (Karen) if Sammamish, WA, Michael of Santa Barbara, nine grandchildren, 12 (soon 13) great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren, numerous beloved nieces and nephews, and Patricia Gaul who became a special and dear friend to Ken and the Lepere family over the past seven years. There is no truth to the rumor that Ken’s last meal (a Costco hotdog, mustard only) played a part in his passing. The best guess is, the A’s leaving Oakland did it. Ken’s long life was full of meaning and love. We are beyond lucky to have him as our Dad. A celebration of life is pending. 

Care has been entrusted to Grissom's Cremation & Burial Centers.