Darwood Kaye Former actor, later pastor Date of Birth: 08.09.1929 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Acting Career
2. Transition to the Pulpit
3. Family and Church Life
4. Missionary Work in Asia
5. Tragic Accident
6. Legacy

Early Life and Acting Career

Darwood Kaye, born Darwood Kenneth Smith in Fort Collins, Colorado on August 24, 1929, first appeared on screen in the 1937 family comedy short "Glove Taps." He quickly rose to fame as Waldo, a wealthy prankster, in the legendary "Our Gang" comedy series. Kaye starred in eight episodes that year, including "Rushin' Ballet," "Fishy Tales," and "Mail and Female."

Transition to the Pulpit

After serving in the U.S. Army and completing his studies at La Sierra University, Kaye left the entertainment industry behind to serve as a Seventh-day Adventist pastor. He graduated from the Seventh-day Adventist college in Riverside, California.

Family and Church Life

Kaye married Jean Venden, whom he met in college, and they had four sons: Dan, David, Richard, and Donald. Kaye dedicated himself to serving the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, working in the San Diego, Palm Springs, and Escondido areas.

Missionary Work in Asia

In 1957, the family moved to Siam (now Thailand), where Kaye served as a missionary. Their fourth son, Donald, was born in Bangkok. After 14 years in Asia, they returned to the United States, where Kaye continued to preach at churches in Southern California.

Tragic Accident

On May 15, 2002, Pastor Ken Smith, as he was known, was tragically killed in a car accident on Arlington Avenue in Riverside. Surrounded by his sons, wife, and family, he passed away that evening at the Riverside Community Hospital.

Legacy

Kaye's sons followed in his footsteps, dedicating their lives to serving the church. The former child star and beloved pastor left an indelible mark on both the entertainment and religious communities. He died a month shy of his 55th wedding anniversary.