John Kenneth Wylie

It is with great sadness to share that J. Kenneth Wylie passed away suddenly at home on December 21, 2015 in Aiken, SC with family members by his side.  Ken was born on August 20, 1927 in Guelph, Ontario, Canada to the late John Alexander Wylie and Henrietta Laing Wylie. He is survived by two sisters, Janice Dyck (Ed) and June Courtney (Stan) both living in Canada; his loving wife of 70 years Louise Davis Wylie, five children, Marilyn Heaven (Walter), Susan Baumstark (Vince), Heather Sasur (John), Pamela Wylie, and Scott Wylie. Other survivors are his eight grandchildren; Bryan Heaven (Cindy), Trudi Sanders (Brian), Laura Madore (Rick), Emilie and Julie Baumstark, Louis Wylie (Jennifer), Lisa Salmore (Nathan), Steven Sasur and seven great grandchildren; Jessica Sanders, Brendan and Megan Heaven, Marlon and Alfred Wylie, Jack and Sam Madore. Ken Wylie joined the Canadian Army in 1942 (WWII) at the age of 14. He was in active combat in France, Belgium, and Holland. He served with the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, attached to the 2nd Army under the Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery. He was injured twice and subsequently returned to his beloved Canada and in 1945 married the love of his life, Louise on October 6, 1945. Ken worked for the Hamilton Spectator newspaper before entering the insurance industry. Over the years he was with Monarch Life Insurance, General American Life Insurance, and eventually was president of his own corporation; Life and Health Insurance. His past success in sales, management and marketing, along with his intellect and his captivating style led him into another occupation, that of a professional public speaker/consultant. The following are some thoughts and quotes from his cohorts, friends and family. “For more than five decades Ken was one of the most sought-after public speakers throughout the United States and Canada on the subject of insurance and economics. On two occasions he was the keynote speaker at the annual NAHU (National Association of Health Underwriters) sponsored conferences. His lectures and seminars to insurance and financial planning professionals numbered more than 2,800 two-three hour sessions, with audiences that approach 200,000 participants.”   “No other public speaker in the history of the insurance industry has accomplished anywhere near Ken’s achievements, nor are we likely to see such a gifted public speaker again in the near future. In addition, he was a Professional Continuing Educator for the University of Maine, Purdue University, University of Notre Dame and University of South Carolina, lecturing on the subjects of health and life insurance and economics. He has been a featured speaker at the International DI Society annual conventions and has spoken at CPA and attorney conferences and the Top of the Table. His speeches on Disability Insurance and Financial Planning, Section 105 Qualified Sick Pay Plans, Changing Demographics and Practice Management are legendary throughout the insurance industry in both the United States and Canada.”   “Ken taught me how to make a successful living. I would never be the person I am without Ken. He was always wanting to help young people improve themselves and never deviated from that wonderful asset. He was a true lover of human beings. The one personal trait Ken had, that impressed me the most, was his love of people, especially young people. He gave his clients “brokers” their money’s worth every time he took the podium. He was so proud of his children.”   “Let it be known to all those who did not have the privilege to know Ken Wylie that he lived his life with great esteem as a son, brother, uncle, husband, father,  grandfather, great grandfather, teacher, mentor and dearest friend.”   “If you knew Ken as a friend, you were truly blessed, as there was no one quite like him. Our insurance industry has lost one of its outstanding leaders. I have lost a dear friend I will never forget. I loved Ken more than any other person I’ve met in my life and feel that a part of me is now gone.”   “In my eighty-nine years of life, I have been privileged to know three people I consider to be true geniuses, Ken Wylie was one of them. I admire all that he was able to accomplish during his lifetime and full retirement was never in his vocabulary. He is recognized as the nation’s guru on disability income insurance. His lectures and writings on the subject are the bible of the industry and recognized as such by all major carriers. There was never anyone I would enjoy visiting with more over a drink than Ken Wylie; whether the conversation was about world events, healthcare, or the insurance industry. If you chose to debate Ken, you better damn well know your subject! I’m going to miss him. I loved the guy.”   “Ken was a significant source of information and expertise about the Civil War, Rebuilding of the South, WWII, Insurance and economics, American Jazz and American Indian Culture.”   “Ken was there for me professionally and personally.”   “He was our mentor and dear friend. We affectionately referred to him as the ‘Energizer Bunny’.”   “He was a wonderful man and wonderful friend with an amazing mind.”   “Ken loved to learn and I think that’s why he loved to travel so much. He particularly wanted to share his love of travel and family moments with his children and grandchildren. It was a big priority and I feel blessed to be a part of assisting him with his travel plans. Our conversations were so interesting….some I must say made me -a bit speechless but we always shared a laugh at the end. That’s a wonderful way to be remembered.” He and our mother were outstanding hosts. His favorite place to entertain and serve cocktails was around the bar in their home; while enjoying interesting and humorous conversations. He loved spending time with his family. He was a mentor and hero to many.  Ken’s love of his life, Louise, children, and grandchildren describe him as a self-made man with outstanding ethics, scrupulously honest and had great integrity, gregarious, friendly, loved to meet people, loved music, was a collector of art, loved to sail, had a great sense of humor and never took himself too seriously. He was very knowledgeable and loved to share his knowledge, had an incredible memory, loving, empathic and was a giver. He was a voracious reader and encouraged others to read.  He was supportive, understanding, open-minded, and loyal to his friends. He persistently took care of his health and was physically active. He loved nature and was active in safeguarding the Earth. He loved animals and supported animal rescue and shelters.  His family was very appreciative of the many destination vacations that he provided (California, Canadian Rockies, Colorado, Florida, Grand Canyon, Hawaii, Las Vegas, New Orleans, North Carolina and Vermont).  Donations may be made in Ken’s name to: NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council), 40 West 20th Street, New York, NY, 10011 (www.nrdc.org) (tel: 212-727-2700).   Those we loved don’t go away; they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near; still loved, still missed and very dear. SHELLHOUSE - RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Kenneth Wylie, please visit our flower store.