Kenneth Forgia

October 9th, 1932-July 31st, 2013 Ken was born in Washita, Oklahoma, on October 9th, 1932. At three years old, the family moved to Arizona. He Graduated from Peoria High School in 1950 and married Elnora Lydic shortly thereafter. They were blessed with 4 children, Vivian, Kevin, David and Rodney, eight grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. After high school, Ken began working for Ira Moore, the Valley Gin Company. In 1957, he decided to join the Arizona Highway Patrol. Ken was promoted from patrolman to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During the twenty-six-plus years at the Department of Public Safety, he worked in various assignments, highway patrolman, patrol sergeant, communications officer, executive security (for governors and families), legislative liaison officer, executive officer to superintendent of highway patrol and bureau chief. He was elected mayor of Peoria, an office he held for 6 years. Then he chose to run for city council to continue serving the community. Memorial service to be held Saturday, August 10th, 2013, 4pm to 6pm, at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge, 12851 N. 19th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85029. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of the Valley, or the charity of your choice.