November 10, 1949 – May 24, 2026

After a life well lived, Kenneth Leonard “Ken” Holbrook passed away on May 24, 2026, at his Lake Wildwood home, surrounded by loved ones.

Born in Nevada City to Leonard and Dorothy Claire (Randall) Holbrook, Ken was a lifelong Nevada County resident whose family roots in the area spanned generations. He attended Nevada City Elementary, Seven Hills, and Nevada Union High School and remained deeply connected to the community he called home throughout his life.

Ken retired from PG&E after a long career that began as a ditch tender and truck driver before advancing into management. He was respected for his strong work ethic, practical knowledge, and ability to tackle almost any challenge that came his way. To know Ken was to know someone who could build, fix, weld, troubleshoot, or figure out just about anything. Whether it was an electrical problem, a welding project, clearing a property, building something from scratch, or helping with a task that seemed overwhelming, Ken was often the first person people called.

One of Ken’s greatest joys was being useful. He loved helping people, loved solving problems, and loved hearing, “I don’t know what we would have done without you.” He took pride in the skills he had developed over a lifetime and enjoyed seeing the difference he could make in someone’s day. While he appreciated a sincere thank you, he rarely expected anything in return. More often than not, he gave his time, knowledge, equipment, and labor freely, helping friends, family, neighbors, and even strangers simply because he could.

Ken carried the history of Nevada County with him. A passionate historian, he seemed to know a story about every road, building, family, and piece of land in town. Friends and family often joked that if you wanted to know the history of Nevada County, all you had to do was ask Ken. He took great pride in preserving local stories, sharing family history, and helping others understand the rich heritage of the place he loved so much.

He never met a stranger. Ken had a remarkable gift for making people feel welcome and remembered. He faithfully kept track of birthdays, often recognizing friends through KNCO birthday announcements, Facebook posts, personal phone calls, and conversations around town. He genuinely cared about people and made it a point to stay connected. His friendships often spanned decades, and his impact reached far beyond his immediate family.

Friends remember Ken as someone who was always there when needed. One lifelong friend recalled meeting him in kindergarten and watching a friendship grow through fishing trips, adventures, projects, and decades of memories. From eagerly awaiting fishing season as a boy to sharing stories and laughter later in life, Ken built the kind of friendships that stood the test of time.

More than anything, people will remember how Ken made them feel. He had a way of showing up, stepping in, and helping carry the load when life became difficult. His generosity wasn’t something he talked about—it was something he lived. Whether offering his knowledge, his tools, his time, or simply his presence, Ken made countless lives better through acts of kindness both large and small.

Those who knew Ken understand that his life cannot be measured by accomplishments alone. It is measured by the friendships he built, the stories he preserved, the people he helped, and the countless lives he touched along the way.

As one lifelong friend so beautifully shared: “I think of Ken every day. The memories, like our friendship, are endless.”

Though his passing leaves a tremendous void, his influence remains in every lesson he taught, every project he helped complete, every story he shared, and every life he made better simply by being part of it.

Ken will be deeply missed, forever loved, and never forgotten.

Celebration of Life will take place at the Nevada City Elks Lodge, June 27, 2026, at 4:00 PM

“The memories, like the friendships he built, are endless.”

In lieu of flowers, please honor Ken’s memory through an act of kindness or a donation to a charity of your choice.