Kenneth F. Vierra, Sr.

Kenneth F. Vierra, Sr

Born in Hayward, Calif on May 8, 1938, Ken was proud of his Portuguese heritage. His mother, Minnie Gonsalves (Ornellas), was born in Kahuku, Oahu, but the family originally hails from the Madeira Islands, also the birth place of Frank Vieira (Ken's dad), who came to America by himself at age 13 to join siblings residing in Oakland, CA. Ken and his younger sister, Sue, attended Hayward public schools and Ken graduated from Hayward HS in January, 1955, where he was a 3 sport athlete and standout quarterback in football.

Recruited to the University of Utah by legendary coach, Jack Curtis, Ken was a 3 yr. letterman in both football and baseball, excelling in both his senior year. Upon graduating from the U in 1960, Ken was hired as PE teacher and coached football and baseball at the brand new Mt. Eden HS, Hayward. In 1965 Ken joined Coach Curtis at UC Santa Barbara for one season in which the Gauchos made it to the D-II National Championship game. That famous team and coaches were later inducted into the UCSB Hall of Fame. Ken then joined the staff at the University of Utah from 1966 – 1971, forming life-long bonds with many coaching colleagues. During his career at Utah, Ken recruited and mentored many outstanding players, including some who enjoyed storied NFL careers. Ken later coached many successful youth football teams and mentored coaches as president of Judge-Ute Conference, as well as coaching youth baseball teams (St. Ambrose).

Ken married Elizabeth Burrowes in 1958 and the couple were blessed with five children born between 1959 and 1970, Sue, Doug, Ken Jr,, Tina and Tricia. Ken later married Judy Meng in 1984 and the two lived a happy life together, enjoying their family and friends, including 20 grandchildren and 3 great-grand children. Ken & Judy loved tailgating at Utah football games and entertaining family and friends at their homes in Salt Lake and Vernal, where Ken enjoyed a special relationship with his mother-in-law, Carolyn Duke.

Ken was a successful salesman for Consolidated Petro Chemical Corporation ('72-'82) and, with his loving wife, Judy, established "Vierra's," a restaurant & sports bar at the Sports Mall in Murray from 1986 – 1990. Ken then owned and operated a successful franchise of Exide Battery, where he won national awards for sales in '92 and '93 before retiring in 2001.
A hard worker his entire life, holding steady jobs from the age of 12 (Hayward Fishery), Ken was still fond of the phrase, "A bad day fishing beats a great day working," and was indeed an avid bait fishermen in both summer and winter seasons. He provided his children, grand-children, business associates and many friends with outdoor adventures and memories on Strawberry, Matt Warner, Steinaker, Flaming Gorge, and Cliff Lake (MT).

Ken is survived by sisters Susan Vierra-Cousins (Jim), Eugenia and Georgia Vierra, his wife Judy, stepdaughter Alyson, loving mother-in-law Carolyn Duke, his five children — Susan McGill (Dan), Doug Vierra (Stephanie Romero Vierra), Ken Vierra, Jr. (Andreanna Yanez-Vierra), Christina Vierra McGill (David), and Trish Fox (Jason) — 20 grand-children and 3 great-grandchildren. The family extends sincere gratitude to Ken's care-givers and the staff at Alta Ridge and Silverado Hospice for their tireless and loving care of Ken these past months especially. "Rest in Peace, Coach!"

Friends and family are invited to wear Crimson to all memorial services, beginning with a prayer vigil and reception at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Sandy, on Friday, April 5 from 6-8pm. Mass of Christian burial will take place at St. Thomas More Church at 11am on Saturday, April 6, burial at Mt. Olivet Cemetery to follow. In lieu of flowers, family and friends are invited to consider giving to the Pay it Back Fund (supports families who cannot afford Ute Conference football fees; c/o Community Foundation of Utah, 6550 Millrock Dr- Suite 125, Salt Lake City, UT 84121).