Charles Kenneth “Ken” Gist, 86, of New Windsor, MD died peacefully on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at Carroll Hospice Dove House in Westminster. Born July 24, 1929 in Westminster, he was the son of the late Benjamin and Anna (Nusbaum) Gist. He was the husband of Eileen (Dutterer) Gist.
Ken had a variety of jobs during his lifetime. He worked in construction as a cement finisher on atomic missile silos in WV, sold men’s clothing for the Globe in Westminster, became an estimator, along with his sons, at Pride Painting in Finksburg, was an accomplished florist at Dutterer’s Florist in Westminster, and for 20 years, was co-owner of The Enchanted Jewelers. Ken studied floral design in Holland, Austria, Portugal, Spain, and England. He was a guest designer on the floral team for 4 different Presidential Inaugurations in Washington, D.C., was a member of the floral team for the rededication of the Statue of Liberty in New York, served on the FTD Florists’ team for the Tournament of Roses parade in California, and served for 15 years on the floral team at conventions of the National Funeral Directors Association. He enjoyed attending and working jewelry shows with his wife in five different states.
Ken was a member of Deer Park United Methodist Church, where he served as a lay leader, and assisted with mission work in both British Honduras and Belize. He was proud to have sung in the Billy Graham Crusade Choir at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, MD. He served on various committees at Carroll Lutheran Village in Westminster. Ken enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and abroad, and for 30 years, visiting the beaches of Aruba. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family and friends.
Surviving in addition to his wife are sons, David Gist and wife Georgia, and Keith Gist and wife Debbie; daughters, Jalna Brown and husband Laird, Blythe Zechman and husband Mick, and Lori Welsh-Graham and Rick Grimes, all of Westminster; grandchildren, Greg Gist and wife Janine, Ryan Gist and wife Melanie, Tara Mobley and husband Chris, Sheilah Keefer and husband Jeff, Tiffany Flook and husband Corey, Laird Brown III, and Todd Brown; great-grandchildren, Brett VanLear, Nicole Mobley, Trent Brown, Chelsea Brown, Indianna Keefer, and Ava Flook; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his first wife, Mary Jane (Kauffman) Gist; son-in-law, Jeff Graham, and all 4 of his siblings, Dorothy Warehime, Benjamin Gist, Margaret Mathias, and Phillip Gist. The family wishes to express special thanks to grandchildren Sheilah and Jeff, and great-granddaughter Indi, for the loving care they so willingly and selflessly provided.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 26, 2016 at MYERS-DURBORAW FUNERAL HOME, 91 Willis St., Westminster, MD, with the Rev. Kevin Clementson and the Rev. Jimmie Schwartz officiating. Interment will follow at Westminster Cemetery. The family will receive friends 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. Thursday and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service Friday at the funeral home.
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Ken had a variety of jobs during his lifetime. He worked in construction as a cement finisher on atomic missile silos in WV, sold men’s clothing for the Globe in Westminster, became an estimator, along with his sons, at Pride Painting in Finksburg, was an accomplished florist at Dutterer’s Florist in Westminster, and for 20 years, was co-owner of The Enchanted Jewelers. Ken studied floral design in Holland, Austria, Portugal, Spain, and England. He was a guest designer on the floral team for 4 different Presidential Inaugurations in Washington, D.C., was a member of the floral team for the rededication of the Statue of Liberty in New York, served on the FTD Florists’ team for the Tournament of Roses parade in California, and served for 15 years on the floral team at conventions of the National Funeral Directors Association. He enjoyed attending and working jewelry shows with his wife in five different states.
Ken was a member of Deer Park United Methodist Church, where he served as a lay leader, and assisted with mission work in both British Honduras and Belize. He was proud to have sung in the Billy Graham Crusade Choir at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, MD. He served on various committees at Carroll Lutheran Village in Westminster. Ken enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and abroad, and for 30 years, visiting the beaches of Aruba. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family and friends.
Surviving in addition to his wife are sons, David Gist and wife Georgia, and Keith Gist and wife Debbie; daughters, Jalna Brown and husband Laird, Blythe Zechman and husband Mick, and Lori Welsh-Graham and Rick Grimes, all of Westminster; grandchildren, Greg Gist and wife Janine, Ryan Gist and wife Melanie, Tara Mobley and husband Chris, Sheilah Keefer and husband Jeff, Tiffany Flook and husband Corey, Laird Brown III, and Todd Brown; great-grandchildren, Brett VanLear, Nicole Mobley, Trent Brown, Chelsea Brown, Indianna Keefer, and Ava Flook; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his first wife, Mary Jane (Kauffman) Gist; son-in-law, Jeff Graham, and all 4 of his siblings, Dorothy Warehime, Benjamin Gist, Margaret Mathias, and Phillip Gist. The family wishes to express special thanks to grandchildren Sheilah and Jeff, and great-granddaughter Indi, for the loving care they so willingly and selflessly provided.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 26, 2016 at MYERS-DURBORAW FUNERAL HOME, 91 Willis St., Westminster, MD, with the Rev. Kevin Clementson and the Rev. Jimmie Schwartz officiating. Interment will follow at Westminster Cemetery. The family will receive friends 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. Thursday and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service Friday at the funeral home.