Kenneth H. Gerred, 73, of California, MD died October 23, 2007 at his residence following a long illness.

Born April 25, 1934 in Central Lake Township, MI, he was eldest of 11 children of the late Myron Paul Gerred and Joyce Harriet Hickman. He married Shirley Kendall Deane on November 27, 1953. They celebrated 50 years of marriage before her death in 2004.

Mr. Gerred joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 17. Upon completing Radioman school in Bainbridge, MD, he was assigned to Patuxent River Naval Station in 1951. After serving four years of naval service, he entered the Pax-Plan enabling him to attend the University of Maryland, where he graduated in 1961 with a degree in electrical engineering. He returned to work as a civilian for the U.S. Navy at Webster Field, working for NANEP. In 1967 he transferred to the Naval Air Station to work for EISO/NALC. While there, he attended the University of Southern California and he earned his Master's degree in logistics. Mr. Gerred remained a civilian employee until retirement in 1989.

After retirement, he enjoyed maintaining the family farm where he and his wife planted large gardens and were most known for their blueberries. He was an avid woodworker and produced numerous pieces of furniture for family and friends. During his life he enjoyed hiking the Appalachian Trail and served as the Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 787 for a number of years. He will be remembered for a keen sense of humor and a willingness to help family and friends in any endeavor; especially identifying, solving, repairing, rebuilding, or re-engineering anything broken.

He is survived by his four children, Michael Gerred of Bel Air, MD, Karen Sheridan of Jacksonville, FL, Michele Rice of Valley Lee, MD, and Katherine Warren of Medley's Neck, MD, six grandchildren, and eight brothers and sisters.

The family will receive friends for a Memorial Service on Saturday, October 27, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at St. George's Episcopal Church, Valley Lee, MD.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650 or St. George's Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 30, Valley Lee, MD 20692.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A. in Leonardtown, MD.