Kenneth Edwin Lytle

Kenneth Edwin Lytle was born in St. George, Utah, on April 24, 1932, to Roy Edwin Lytle and Edith Empey Lytle. He passed away on February 21, 2016, in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his daughters and his beloved wife Donna of almost 65 years.

To most of his family and friends he was known as Kenny Lytle, Uncle Ken, or Gramps. He would spend almost his entire life living in Eagle Valley on the family ranch as a fourth-generation rancher doing what he loved most in life – working hard and enjoying the great outdoors.

During his childhood, for first through eighth grades, he attended a one-room school located next to the family corrals in Eagle Valley. At the beginning of his ninth-grade year, his parents had obtained a small house on the hill in Pioche where Edith and the children lived during the week so that LaRue and Ken could attend high school. The family travelled home each Friday night to help on the ranch during the weekends. In 1950, Ken graduated from Lincoln County High School where he excelled in football, the band program, and in becoming several teachers’ worst nightmare, as his childhood cousin and friend Frankie Delmue and Bill (Beaky) Lynch attempted to make life fun for their fellow students. While in high school, he became an exceptional trumpet player who once won first place in a state-wide competition that included students from the bigger schools of Las Vegas. His song of choice was Flight of the Bumblebee and was played under the direction and accompaniment of one of Lincoln County’s all-time greats, Prof. Wilcox.

Ken attended one year of college in St. George, Utah. In March of 1951, he convinced the love of his life Donna Bowden to leave nursing school in Salt Lake City to become his wife. They were married in a simple ceremony in Eagle Valley at his brother Gordon’s house and soon moved into the home of Ken’s grandmother to become her caretaker. It was in this same house that Ken and Donna would live for the next 65 years, raising three daughters, caring for countless animals, and growing hay to get the livestock through the often cold, harsh winters.

Ken’s love for music continued throughout his life. He often performed in various local bands through the years as a guitarist and vocalist and would often talk of the good times he had with his fellow band members – his brother Gordon, Doug Liston, Mike Fogliani and Barry Bortman.

Most importantly, Ken was a kind and caring man. Throughout his life he often helped others, either those struggling with finances or those who just needed a helping hand. He was always gentle and caring for the animals he was surrounded by; he hated to see anything suffer. Ken absolutely loved small children and dogs, and as the young people of Eagle Valley left for work each morning, it was not unusual for the neighbors’ five or six dogs to be found sitting at the Lytle’s back door waiting for a treat or a chance to hang out on the ranch for the day.

Ken’s grandchildren were the light of his life. He never missed a rodeo or sporting event and would have followed them to the end of the earth to show his support and love. He was always so proud of them.

Ken will always be remembered as a hard worker and as someone who inspired others through example. He rarely complained and thoroughly enjoyed the path he had chosen. Someone once said, “My goal is to build a life I don’t need a vacation from.” Kenny Lytle definitely reached that goal.

He is survived by his wife Donna; his sister LaRue Walker; his three daughters Tona Lytle (Michelle Martin), Kena (Pat) Gloeckner, and Lynn (Mick) Lloyd; seven grandchildren: Brad, Jason and Lacie Lloyd, Kylee and Kourtney Gloeckner, Kori (Colton) Cole and Michael Martin; three great grandchildren: Lainey, Rowdy and Weston Lloyd; and countless nephews and nieces whom he thought the world of.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on March 11, 2016 at the Lytle Family Cemetery in Eagle Valley under the direction of Southern Nevada Mortuary. Online condolences can be made at www.snmortuary.com.