Kenneth Pilot

Kenneth Edward Pilot went to Heaven due to natural causes on August 23,2022 in Brighton, CO where he had gone to visit a friend. Ken had spent the previous day at Dowdy Lake, enjoying the mountains he loved so much. Ken lived life to the fullest! Ken was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Edward and Evelyn (Berg) Pilot. As a child, the family moved to Grafton, Ohio where he could foster his love of animals. Ken had a pet boa constrictor and a spider monkey. With help from his father, he even rehabilitated a sparrow hawk. They also had horses and even though his sister Marianne was older he would saddle her horse for her, always the gentleman. Ken never lost his love for animals and enjoyed going to rodeos and the National Western Stock Show and he looked good in that cowboy hat. He was a 1961 graduate of Midview High School in Grafton, OH. He was raised in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, graduating from Concordia University Chicago in 1966. He served in the teaching ministry of the Lutheran Churches and agencies in Illinois, Wisconsin and Missouri. The diversity of the assignments included a residential facility for persons with developmental disabilities and a 900 member African American congregation on the southside of Chicago during the turbulent 60’s. While in Wisconsin Ken received his master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In the 70’s Ken worked in special education, first as a teacher and then administrator in the St. Louis Public schools. He later moved to the St. Louis Community College system as a manager of employment. At the invitation of a friend, Ken attended a service at the Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis and immediately knew he was home. Following his call to the ministry he was ordained into the MCC fellowship in the mid 80’s. Ken was a founding pastor of a MCC church in St. Louis, where he met Jerry “The Love of his Life”. Upon Jerry’s death and the deaths of many friends due to the AIDS epidemic and his own health challenges he was not optimistic of his future. Ken came to Ft Collins as interim pastor of MCC Family in Christ, during which time he served as district coordinator for MCC for over 30 churches in ten states and Canada. He claimed that being a part of MCCFIC brought him back to life! Ken helped MCC in Great Falls, MT develop a statewide church model to reach people in remote areas and develop a program for at-risk youth. Later Ken returned to Fort Collins and again pastored MCCFIC. Ken and his dog Dolly moved up to storm mountain where Ken had a lovely home built doing part of the work himself with the help of his friends. This fulfilled his dream of living in the mountains. Ken also worked part time as Coordinator of Outreach-Resources at MCC of the Rockies in Denver. Later Ken also served as interim pastor at the Fort Collins Mennonite Fellowship 2005-2006. When Ken retired, he moved to a Fort Collins apartment on the 11th floor of DMA Plaza where he again had a lovely view of the Rocky Mountains. During his ministry Ken performed many Holy Unions and weddings and sadly, many funerals, all with a special grace and spirit that touched the hearts of all involved. He had a spirit that would calm souls and encourage people to heal and work together. To say that Ken will be missed would be an understatement, his spirit will live on in all who loved him and were graced by having him as family and friend. If you had the pleasure of a meal prepared by Ken, it was indeed a culinary delight. Ken was not afraid to put on his gloves and help with manual work when needed and encouraged others to step out of their safe zone to help others. He was active in helping the homeless through Homeward Alliance where he served as a board member, often going out after church to give essentials to the homeless. Ken also was a board member of the Northern Colorado Aids Project. Ken is survived by his sister Marianne Cox, nephews Gregory Cox, David Cox, Steven (Tracy) Cox and his cat Possum. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Evelyn Pilot and siblings Edward Pilot and Rita Kocevar, nephew Keith Cox, the "Love of his Life”, Jerry and his beloved dog, Dolly. A celebration of Ken’s Life will be held September 10th, 11:00 am at Christ United Methodist Church where MCCFIC meets on Sunday evenings located at 301 E Drake in Ft. Collins. A luncheon will be served for friends and family to reminisce and share stories of Ken’s life. In lieu of Flowers, memorials can be directed to Homeward Alliance, 242 Conifer St, Fort Collins, CO 80524 or MCC Family in Christ, 301 E Drake, Fort Collins, CO 80525. Wearing a mask is recommended to prevent the spread of covid.

Kenneth Pilot

August 23, 2022