Kenneth Albert Backus

Kenneth Albert Backus passed away peacefully at the age of 86, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, loyalty, love of family and friends, and quiet resilience.

Born on March 14, 1939, in Pontiac, Michigan, Ken was the youngest of three children born to Albert and Iva (Pratt) Backus. He grew up helping his parents run the family’s boat livery and tackle shop on Upper Silver Lake. From an early age, he showed both grit and ingenuity—at age 14 he purchased a 1941 Ford and successfully petitioned the State of Michigan for a special driver’s license so he could dig night crawlers before dawn and sell them to local fishermen. He purchased the Dairy Queen on Orchard Lake Rd. in Keego Harbor in 1960, where he was known for handing out free ice cream cones to kids who brought in report cards with A's. That entrepreneurial spark and strong work ethic became a throughline in his life.

Ken could build or fix just about anything—a gift he shared freely with others. He spent over 30 years at General Motors, starting on the line in the early days of Fisher Body in Pontiac alongside his dad. He later earned his millwright journeyman card and spent the rest of his career at the GM Orion Assembly plant, where he not only made a living but also formed a circle of lifelong friends who shared his integrity, humor, and mechanical skills.

He served in the U.S. Army National Guard in 1962 and was stationed in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

In August of 1962, he married Ruth Ellen Jackson in Clarkston, Michigan. Together, they built a beautiful home on Lake Voorheis in Orion Township, where they raised their two children, Michael and Marney, and hosted many lively holiday gatherings and celebrations for family and friends. Although Ken and Ruth later divorced, he lived the rest of his life in that same home—spending his days outdoors in his garden (where his favorite flowers were purple coneflowers and black-eyed Susans), cruising the lake on his pontoon boat, working on house projects, and, of course, fishing.

For the past 33 years, Ken shared his life with his partner, Darlyne “Darby” Oakford. Together they found joy in life’s simple pleasures—quiet mornings at the cabin, card games around the dining table, Friday night fish dinners, and winters spent soaking in the Florida sunshine at their second home in Englewood. They built a life rooted in affection, humor, and a shared love of the outdoors.

Ken was never happier than when he was outside—puttering in the yard, casting a line from the boat, or sitting in a lawn chair enjoying the golden glow of a summer evening. He loved coney dogs from the Baldwin Café, lunches with his pals Ron and Johnny, and good conversation with neighbors who stopped by. He had a sharp mind, natural curiosity and a fondness for riddles, brain teasers, sudoku, and Westerns—and a calm, steady presence that accompanied a sly, often unexpected, sense of humor.

His granddaughter Miranda held a special place in his heart. They bonded over old coin collections, the proper way to eat an ice cream cone, games of “which hand?,” and rounds of cribbage. On the dock in the backyard, he showed Miranda how to bait a hook, and together they caught her first fish.

Ken is survived by his partner, Darlyne Oakford; his son Michael (Diane and Bellennda); his daughter Marney (Scott); and his granddaughter, Miranda. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert C. and Iva C. Backus; his brother, Robert; his sister, Marjorie; and his beloved cat, Max.

His life was shaped by quiet strength, a tinkerer’s spirit, and deep-rooted love for family and friends. He will be missed deeply and remembered always.

Ken will be laid to rest on August 1 at Christian Memorial Gardens in Rochester, in a private graveside service arranged by Sparks-Griffin in Lake Orion. Friends and family are invited to an open house in celebration of Ken’s life on Sunday, August 3, from 1–4 p.m. at 2911 Walmsley Circle, Orion Township.

Ken loved wildflowers, and they are welcome. As an alternative, donations may be made in his memory to Project FISH, or simply take a moment to enjoy a sunset, play a game of cribbage, or pick up the phone to share a story with someone you love.

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