Ken was born in Lynn, Massachusetts to Valerie Joseph Cormier and Viola Catherine (McEvoy) on August 14, 1943.

He grew up in Lynn and attended St. Jean the Baptist High School where he became the captain of the varsity basketball and baseball teams. Wanting to continue playing baseball, he attended a prep school to improve his grades. Through a series of events, he ended up coming out to Arizona and attended Eastern Arizona Community College in Thatcher where he played baseball. From there he moved on to Northern Arizona University where he received his degree in Business/Education. After college, he moved to Phoenix where he taught at Borgade High School. During this time, he married Diane Latting and had one daughter, Marya L. Marney (Craig).

While in Phoenix, Ken also worked for the State of Arizona's Adult Education Program and started his own small futon business. In 1981, Ken met Jennifer Bingamon and they married and began a family in 1982. In 1983, Ken went back into education and worked at Paradise Valley Christian School. Wanting to get back into public education, Ken moved his young family to Douglas where he taught and coached for 31 years. Since athletics had given Ken the chance to succeed in life, he always wanted to pass that love along to his students and used athletics as a catalyst for building character into the lives of his athletes. It was his prayer that his influence would give those around him the opportunity to experience the benefits of hard-work, integrity, and respect.

He is survived by his wife Jennifer, daughters Marya Marney (Craig), Kelly, Katie, Kristi, Kimberly, and Kaycie; sons, Kenneth, Kyle (Cydney), Kirt, and Konnor; granddaughters Madison Smith and Parker Smith; sisters, Janice McGuire, and June Urbanski and his brothers, Wayne and Robert.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 28 at DHS soccer stadium where Ken spent a majority of his coaching years, coaching his Bulldog soccer teams.

A scholarship fund has been set up in Ken Cormier's name at Southeast Arizona Credit Union on Pan American Avenue for anyone wanting to make a donation in his memory.

"And whatsoever you do, do it with all your heart, as to the Lord and not unto men."-Colossians 3:23