Kenneth David Kujala, age 67, of Clayton, Delaware died suddenly in his home on December 29, 2025.

Ken was preceded in death by his father, David Arthur Kujala. He is survived by his mother, Virginia May Kujala (Kiaulenas), of Clayton, Delaware, his sister Audrey Kujala Showalter (Gary) of Smyrna, Delaware, by his brother Gregory Kujala (Eileen Martelli) of Winchester, Virginia, nieces Jessica (Jamie), Natalie (Josh), and nephew Nicholas, and grandniece Lily, and grandnephews Seddon, Stewart, and Declan.

He graduated from Concord High School in Wilmington, Delaware, where he was the Head Student Athletic Trainer for all sports during all four years and received the Athletic Club Boosters Award. Ken volunteered, then was a cadet on the New Castle County Ambulance before enlisting in the United States Navy. He served at the Naval Regional Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA as HM2 Orthopedic Assistant. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander and served as a Naval Intelligence Officer. After retiring from the Navy, Ken remained active, training naval recruits. He was the first reservist to achieve the Officer in Charge Certification and sailed as Commanding Officer. Ken was a paramedic in the Shawnee Medical Center EMS, in Oklahoma and served in ground based and helicopter paramedic ambulance services. Ken attended the State University of New York Maritime College, earning a BS in both Meteorology and Oceanography. He received the William Tuttle award for Proficiency in Meteorology and was inducted into the College's Athletic Hall of Fame. He was the youngest person to become a licensed Master, Unlimited Tonnage, Sail and Steam, Any Ocean and commanded both freighter and tanker vessels worldwide. He was the Medical Officer on the Research Vessel Knorr out of Woods Hole, Massachusetts and was part of the crew that found and photographed the S.S. Titanic. Ken taught navigation at the U.S. Naval Academy, and was a Certified Instructor, Supervisor and Assessor for STCW courses.

Ken was a Big Brother. He was a Chairman, Budget Director, and EMT preceptor with the Smyrna, Delaware American Legion Ambulance. He was a certified Information Officer through the State of Delaware and a Senior Mediator in the Center for Community Justice, Dover, Delaware. Besides these many achievements, Ken was generous to all who knew him and took great care of his family, especially his parents. Outside of work and family, he loved his black Labradors, one of which, Molly, spent her life aboard the ships Ken captained. His favorite activities were working on his property and spending time with his friends Dave, Dick, Michelle, Dot, and Cynthia. Ken had a great laugh and always found a comedic greeting card or an unusual gift for his family and friends. He traveled the world and loved the sea. Ken was kind and loyal. The world has lost a great man.

A funeral Mass will be held on January 31st, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. at Saint Polycarp Catholic Church, 55 Ransom Lane in Smyrna. Interment will be private at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bear, DE.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Ken's name to either First State Animal Center, 32 Shelter Circle, Camden, DE 19934; or The Food Bank of Delaware, 222 Lake Drive, Newark, DE 19702.

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Arrangements are by Matthews Bryson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Smyrna, DE.