In Memoriam Kenneth (Kenny) Billings Shulsen 1969-2014

My fellow Lairians, I don’t know how to say this, and so I say this with a heavy heart and with great sadness. This is the hardest article I have ever had to write over here. Our good friend, Colleague, and senior writer Kenny Shulsen has lost his battle with multiple health issues and passed away on Thursday.

Kenny Billings Shulsen- 1969-2014

Kenneth Shulsen, born Kenneth Billings Shulsen, A.K.A. Kenny B. was born May 25th, 1969 in Murray Utah. Kenny grew up in Midvale and sandy Utah, and attended Hilcrest High School where he graduated with honors. He served as senior class secretary, and was a letterman on the 1987 State championship tennis team.

Kenny later attended Dixie College, and graduated from Utah State University, with a masters degree in History. Kenny also regularly played fantasy Baseball online.

On October 11, 1997 Kenny married his college sweetheart Tami Lynn Taracena. Together they had two children Luke Kenneth, and Tyler Steven (deceased). Kenny is survived by his wife Tami, son Luke, his parents, sister Stacy Ann Rice, and nephews.

Kenny helped make Lasorda’s Lair what it is today. He was one of the first writers, and the longest tenured writer on staff. Kenny was editing and writing over here well before Stacie and I took over. It was because of Kenny’s hard work that we obtained our press credentials. Kenny was a skilled and seasoned writer.

I’m having a hard time writing this. Kenny and I had become pretty good friends over the last couple of years. We would talk nearly every Dodger game. Whenever I watched Dodger games, I was always talking to Kenny during. We chatted, spoke over the phone and spoke of our love of the Dodgers often. I’ll never forget our late night talks about the Dodgers.

Kenny and I had made plans to finally meet in about two weeks around his birthday. Unfortunately that didn’t get to happen. We were supposed to go to a game together, and hang out and celebrate our love of the Dodgers. Kenny got the honor of meeting and chatting with Dodger’s GM Ned Colletti. I am glad that Kenny got to meet him, and that he got to go to spring training before he passed away. His son Luke also got to meet Colletti as well.

Kenny was always the optimist. He was a calming presence here often giving us words of encouragement. Even when the Dodgers were struggling he was always full of hope. He never lost faith and bled blue more than anyone I’ve ever known.

We will be gathering his articles and posting them up on the front page so everyone can read his work. His name and work will be on Lasorda’s Lair forever. We will also be dedicating Gagne’s Game ball corner to Kenny. It will now be known as “Kenny’s Game Ball Corner”. We’ll have more on Kenny later, celebrating his love and passion for the Dodgers.

Please join us over here at Lasorda’s Lair to remember Kenny. If you knew Kenny, or were friends with him leave a message or comment. You can also pay online condolences here http://www.jenkins-soffe.com/obituary?id=1383312.

We’ve lost a valuable member of Lasorda’s Lair. More importantly his family lost a father, brother, husband and son. I’ve also lost a friend.

You are and forever will be my friend. I’ll miss you Kenny.