Kenneth Bagaman Sarmiento Obituary (1963

Kenneth Bagaman Sarmiento, 57, returned to our Father in Heaven on December 1, 2020 at 9:21am. He passed away at the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo, Utah due to complications with COVID-19. Kenny was born in Manila, capital of the Philippines, on September 17, 1963. He grew up in the city of Mandaluyoug, Philippines and attended Xavier School from grade school through High School. Kenny was very charismatic and well-liked by all. He was a smart, diligent student who did well in school and always earned good grades. Throughout his childhood, Kenny learned five languages: Cantonese, Shanghainese, Mandarin, Tagalog, and English. Later in adulthood he would pick up on a sixth, Spanish. He was a member of his school’s soccer team from 3rd grade up to his Senior year in High School. He also enjoyed playing the guitar and singing. One year he was the guitarist for his and his friend’s Christmas caroling gig. They went house to house earning money which they ended up spending on treating themselves. Kenny attended a year of college at Ateneo University before moving to the United States of America in 1982. After Kenny moved to America, he worked at BVY Group in Foster City, California. It was there that he met his wife, Marri (Cruson), in 1986. Kenny and Marri were married on May 16, 1987 in San Francisco and welcomed their first daughter in March 1988. In the Fall of 1989, Kenny accepted a job at Point Zero; he worked there for 24 years. That job moved their family of three down to Los Angeles, CA in 1989. A year later Kenny and Marri moved to Irvine, California where they welcomed another daughter to their family. Then in 1992, Kenny and Marri settled in Santa Clarita, California. Through the next 11 years, they added two sons and another daughter to their family. Kenny was baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on February 23, 1997. The Sarmientos were sealed for time and all eternity in the Los Angeles Temple on March 20, 1998. Kenny became a U.S. citizen in the year 2004. Throughout their 24 years in Santa Clarita, Kenny coached many of his children’s soccer teams in AYSO’s Region 678. While none of his kids actually played goalie, one of his favorite things to do after practice was have them stand in the goal while he took shots on them. They quickly learned how strong of a shot he had. Kenny enjoyed many “Gun Trips” with the men and young men of the Valencia California Stake. In 2016, the Sarmientos moved to Provo, Utah. He started working at the Missionary Training Center there. Kenny later got a job at Cabela’s, which he loved. As an avid gun owner, lover of fishing, barbecuing and occasionally hunting, Cabela’s seemed like a home away from home for Kenny. Shortly after moving to Utah, Kenny started volunteering at Provo Gun Club. He loved taking his kids out target shooting; this was the perfect volunteer opportunity for him. He also served in the Provo City Center Temple from 2018-2019. Before his passing, Kenny started a second job at Canyonwall. After accepting that job, he called each of his children and expressed his excitement for his new position. He was so excited to be a member of the Canyonwall family. Back in High School, Kenny was described as “our cool friend...very secretive, quiet and reserved. He’s very original in his jokes...has a serious face most of the time but has a sly smile once in a while. He’s a fast learner...an all-around guy...there seems to be no end if you were to enumerate his bountiful talents...this guy is a great friend because he’s a rare type.” Those words rang true throughout his whole life. His kids grew up with his original dad jokes. Many who first met him may have found him reserved, but upon getting to know him, they could see his lighthearted personality shine through. Kenny was a handyman, always trying to figure out how to fix things himself. He was very logical and quick with numbers. He was quick to serve others; regularly feeding the LDS missionaries and helping people move. If someone needed a place to stay, food to eat, or a place to find friendship and comfort, Kenny and Marri’s door was always open. Kenny and Marri enjoyed having their kid’s friends over and actually preferred it to them being out so they could really get to know their kid’s friends. Kenny wasn’t really into playing games, but he’d never pass up a game of mahjong. He loved food. It was not uncommon for him to be the last one at the table savoring every bite in both childhood and adulthood. Kenny also loved cooking for others, teaching his children how to make lumpia and wontons, making himself flan, eating a good piece of chocolate cake, drinking Coke Zero, and perfecting meats for his family on his new smoker. In the past 10 years, Kenny and Marri have added 4 in-laws and 4 grandchildren to their family. Kenny was a big family man. His pride and joy were his kids and grandchildren. Kenny is survived by his wife of 33 years, Marri Jennifer Cruson; children, Janessa L. Hatch (Austin), Cassandra A. Severson (Eric), James T. Sarmiento (Marinda), Makayla N. Parris (Preston) and Dillon S. Sarmiento; grandchildren, Indy, Duke, Cora and Theo; sister, Elizabeth B. Gurney (Michael); brother, Howard B. Sarmiento (Ann); many nieces and nephews, and mother-in-law, Elsa M. Cruson. He is preceded in death by his mother, Martina Sarmiento; father, Seng Cheuck Sarmiento and father-in-law, James Edmond Cruson. A viewing will be held on Friday, December 11 at the Berg Drawing Room Chapel, 185 E. Center Street, Provo, UT 84606 from 6pm-8pm. All are invited to attend. Please wear a mask and practice social distancing. A private funeral service will be held at a church on Saturday, December 12 at 11am. Due to the current pandemic, the in-person funeral will be limited to family, however, the funeral will be live-streamed for anyone who would live to attend virtually (Link will be available here shortly before services). Following the funeral, there will be a burial service at Orem City Cemetery, 1520 N 800 E, Orem, UT 84097. All are invited to attend. Please wear a mask and practice social distancing. Should friends desire, donations may be made through Venmo to @sarmiento-fund. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.bergmortuary.com. Special Thanks to the staff at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center for caring for our beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother, and Uncle. Dad, we will always carry your memory in our hearts. ‘Til we meet again.’