The story begins when Ken sees an ad in the paper, showing a lavender sports coat. He liked it and went to buy it. Apparently, it was made for advertisement only and none were available for sale. This news upset him greatly, and spurred on by righteous indignation, he commissioned the neighborhood tailor, to custom make one for him, complete with a coordinating, groovy silk lining.

This became “the” jacket for special events, like his engagement party. What made him like this color? Or any colorful coat for that matter? Maybe a reaction to the black undertaker uniform he wore at times. Who knows.

The jacket stayed in the closet for decades as belly fat prevented fastening. It came out for the middle school graduation of our son Eddie, it was a little big on him but still very impressive. Impressive enough that his classmate Jarrett Payton grabbed him for his family graduation pictures. (Ed had enjoyed being the fastest runner in grade school until Jarrett beat him in middle school.)

So yes! The lavender sport coat was immortalized in Walter Payton’s family photos. Jarrett went on to play football, and Eddie played hockey.

The lavender sport coat went back into the closet for a few more decades.

Two near-death experiences, and hospitalizations, trimmed Ken down to his former youthful shape, so once again, the lavender sportcoat was liberated into the light and rode once again.

Father’s Day 2022, a lavender sportcoat appeared at Macy’s.

So 49 years later, there is a sibling lavender sport coat in the closet, because our daughter and son-in-law thought it was just too good, not to mention too hilarious to pass up.

Silly kids.

The Legendary Lavender Sport Coat.

The story begins when Ken sees an ad in the paper, showing a lavender sports coat. He liked it and went to buy it. Apparently, it was made for advertisement only and none were available for sale. This news upset him greatly, and spurred on by righteous indignation, he commissioned the neighborhood tailor, to custom make one for him, complete with a coordinating, groovy silk lining.

This became “the” jacket for special events, like his engagement party. What made him like this color? Or any colorful jacket for that matter? Maybe a reaction to the black undertaker uniform he wore at times. Who knows.

The jacket stayed in the closet for decades as belly fat prevented fastening. It came out for the middle school graduation of our son Eddie, it was a little big on him, but still very impressive. Impressive enough that his classmate Jarrett Payton grabbed him for his family graduation pictures. (Ed had enjoyed being the fastest runner in grade school until Jarrett beat him in middle school.)

So yes! The lavender sport coat was immortalized in Walter Payton’s family photos. Jarrett went on to play football, and Eddie played hockey.

The lavender sport coat went back into the closet for a few more decades.

Two near-death experiences, and hospitalizations, trimmed Ken down to his former youthful shape, so once again, the lavender sportcoat was liberated into the light and rode once again.

Father’s Day 2022, a lavender sportcoat appeared at Macy’s.

So 49 years later, there is a sibling lavender sportcoat in the closet, because our daughter and son in law thought it was just too good, not to mention, too hilarious to pass up.

Silly kids.