Kenneth James Gadley

KENNETH ( KEN) JAMES GADLEY

Born on August,27, 1945 to Alton and Gertrude Gadley in Painesville, OH, the family moved to Orwell, Ohio when he was 2. Oldest of six children, his childhood was spent in Orwell with his five siblings-- Dennis, Gary, Jane, Roger and Jackie.

Very athletic, he participated and lettered in basketball, football, baseball and track at Grand Valley High School. Ken graduated in 1963 and attended Ohio University for one year before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps. After a tour in Vietnam and fulfillment of his obligation to the Corps he and a buddy headed to LA, California.

The next 30 years were dedicated to a career at Shell Oil Company, becoming a Certified Safety Professional and holding several supervisory positions over the years in multiple locations. He was engaged in numerous safety related activities, including as an active member of a Flammable Liquid Fire Fighting Team that engaged in refinery and tank farm fires.

In his off time he bought fixer upper houses and prepared them for resale, doing much of the work himself. Collecting Lionel trains was a life-long hobby that began after Santa brought him a Lionel train set when he was a young boy.

Ken is survived by two daughters, Maria Vena (Brandon) of Irvine, Ca and Angela Gadley of Summerville, Ga, three grandchildren, Bella, Rocko, and Mina, brothers Dennis (Karla) of Ashtabula, OH, Gary (Debra) of Blufton, SC, Roger , Orwell, OH and sisters Jane ( Richard) Seymour, TN, Jackie Less( Richard) Valdosta, GA and several nieces and a nephew.

He moved to Shannondale Senior Living in Maryville, TN in Sept of 2024, passing away there on June 30, 2026.

Donations may be made to the Veterans.