March 25, 1928-June 15, 2022
After a long and full life, Kenneth Clinton Bonzo, 94, passed away at his home in Cedar City, Utah, on June 15, 2022. Ken was born March 25, 1928, in Greenville, Utah to Bert and Eliza Reese Bonzo. Ken was the sixth of nine children.
Ken grew up in Cedar City, Utah. He discovered early on in life that he had a natural talent and love for fixing things. When he was a young boy, he started a bike repair business and would charge the neighbor kids ten cents to fix their bikes. As a young man, Ken moved on from bikes to cars. He worked at the Premium Service station on North Main. It was from his time working at the service station that he built upon his calling in life as a mechanic. It is also where he found the love of his life.
One day after work, Ken stopped in the Arctic Circle next door to the station to talk to his good friend, Ernie Humphries. Ernie asked Ken if he could give one of his employees a ride home. This employee happened to be a pretty girl named Suzanne (Suzie) Kirtley. Not long after that initial encounter, Ken and Suzie were married on Jan. 18, 1958. Their marriage was later solemnized in the St. George Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They shared 51 years of marriage before Suzie’s passing in 2009.
It was also while working at the Premium that Ken decided he would like to have a station of his own. One of Ken’s greatest sources of pride and accomplishment was opening his own service station, the Beeline. At the Beeline he met many great people and developed wonderful relationships in the community.
After his time with the Beeline which eventually became the Arco, Ken opened a small engine repair shop at the bottom of 600 West where he was a master of his trade. Countless lawnmowers and chainsaws came through Ken’s shop, and he worked his magic on all of them. Ken tried to retire in his seventies but could not stay away. He set up shop in the back of Polaris All Seasons Sports. He worked there well into his eighties before he finally gave it up.
Ken joined the National Guard and was a proud member of the famous 213th Field Artillery Unit from Southern Utah. He served with his brothers Dave and Max in the Korean War. They were with the 213th at the “Miracle of Kapyong.” Ken was one of the last surviving members of that impressive group of men. Ken loved his country and instilled that same love in his children and grandchildren.
Ken was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had a deep love for God and Jesus Christ.
He was preceded in death by his parents, six of his siblings, an infant son and his sweet wife, Suzie. Ken is survived by his four children, SueAnn Bergstrom, Donna (Terry) Sanders, Howard (Ruth) Bonzo, Gordon (Jennifer) Bonzo; 14 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren; his brother Doug Bonzo and siste, Pat Close; and three sisters-in-law Rosalie Kirtley, Ione Bonzo and Susan Bonzo.
Ken will be missed, but he leaves behind a great legacy carried on by his posterity. The family would like to thank all those at Applegate Home Care, who helped take care of Ken as he transitioned out of this life. A special thanks to Todd Bonzo and his staff at Metcalf Mortuary for taking care of “Uncle Ken.”
A graveside service with Military Honors will be held Monday, June 20, 11 a.m. at the Cedar City Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221. Visit the Metcalf Mortuary website for condolences, complete obituary and funeral listings.