Roll Call Tribute

Kenneth Abel Mattoon 

August 26, 1946 - December 14, 2023 

Kenneth Abel Mattoon, aka “Papa Toon”, born on August 26, 1946 in Honolulu, HI, peacefully passed away on December 14, 2023 at the age of 77. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rachel and Abel Mattoon. Ken is survived by his spouse, Twila, six children: Rachel (Curtis) Hedrick, Chris (Lonneke) Matton, Kurt (Julie) Konda, Becky (Jason) White, Kyler (Lacey) Konda, and Kelly Konda, 10 grandchildren, brother Francis (Patti) Kawai, and numerous loved ones in California and Hawaii.

Though he was born in Hawaii, Ken grew up in a military family and, in a theme that would persist throughout much of his life, Ken lived many different places as a child, including Denmark and Germany, as well as the United States.

As an adult, Ken graduated from Texas A&M University and then began his on military career, serving in the Air Force for nearly 20 years. In the service, he spent time in from Hawaii and San Antonio to Greenland and the Northwest Territories before finally settling in the Wichita, KS area upon his retirement from the Air Force. He worked as a civilian for Boeing in Wichita until his retirement in 2002.

Ken was an avid reader, avid bowler, and probably the number one consumer of Turner Classic Movies. With all that he learned observed as a world traveler coupled with all of this hobbies and interests, Ken was a font of information and he loved to share that information and knowledge with others Though not a teacher by profession, he seized any opportunity to coach or teach, especially when it related to sports such as bowling, golf, volleyball, or even Tai Chi. Though these passions and “occasionally” overly-long stories sometimes made him the butt of family jokes, his chuckle and infectious grin at some of those jokes made it clear he secretly enjoyed it … and we loved him for it.

He was a proud Islander who loved all things related to his Hawaiian culture and roots. He was especially fond of Hawaiian music. He grew up with an extended family that loved to play and sing, and one of his favorite comforts in life was just relaxing and enjoying music. He would often close his eyes when enjoying a good song and let it take him to another place. So, it is perhaps fitting his last moments in this life were filled with the sounds of his beloved Hawaiian music and now he is riding high amongst the waves with all loved ones who have gone before him.

The family plans to have a private Celebration of Life in the near future, doing what he loved the most: hanging out with family, friends and bowling.

Memorial contributions in Kenneth's name can be made to Miracle League of Wichita, C/O Wichita City Hall, Wichita City Hall, 455 N. Main St., Wichita, Kansas 67202.