Ken Hunt

Kenneth Wayne Hunt, a man known for his uncompromising truth-telling, passed away at his home in San Angelo, TX, on September 26, 2025, with his wife, Lizette, by his side. He was 69 years old. A Memorial Celebration of Ken's life will be held at 11:00am, Saturday, November 1, 2025 at First Baptist Church in Pierre, SD. CLICK HERE to watch Ken's service.
Ken was born on December 8, 1955, to David and Bo Hunt at Goodfellow Air Force Base Hospital in San Angelo, TX. He had been retired for the past five years, enjoying the Texas heat. Ken's love for people and his faith gave him the courage to love deeply. He was a man always willing to lend a hand, an ear, or even his pocketbook when necessary.
Ken's early life was spent as a military dependent, traveling across the United States and overseas, before his family settled in Bellevue, WA. As a child, Ken worked alongside his father and brothers doing lawn and garden work and later helping move furniture. He played football and wrestled throughout junior high and high school, graduating in 1973 from Sammamish High School in Bellevue, WA. After graduation, Ken drove semi-trucks across the country with his father and brothers, Lynn and Dave. When that business ended, he took local truck-driving jobs and eventually worked at Lockheed Shipbuilding Co. in Seattle, WA, where he met his future wife, Lizette (Kinnunen).
Ken and Lizette were married in May 1984. They worked at the shipyard until it closed and then tried their hand at commercial fishing in Alaska. One season was enough, and Ken soon went on to college, earning his Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science in 1992 from Griffin Business College in Bellevue, WA. Their first daughter, Caitlyn, was born in May 1991.
In the years that followed, the family moved to Texas to run a business with Ken's brother Dave. Their second daughter, Rebecca, was born in June 1994. After experiencing a tornado, the family moved back to Washington in 1995. Ken worked in various printing jobs until he heard God's call to ministry. He then moved with his family to Sioux Falls, SD, to attend North American Baptist Seminary, graduating in 2003 with a Master of Divinity degree.
From their move to South Dakota in 2000, the family lived mainly in both of the Dakotas, eventually settling in Pierre, SD, in 2010. Ken served many churches as a pastor in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Washington State, fulfilling a variety of ministries. His final position was as a hospice pastor in South Dakota.
Ken lived a life marked by faith, service, hard work, love for his family, and a deep passion for music and singing-using his voice to worship, to comfort, and to bring joy to others. Ken's legacy is carried on by his wife, Lizette, and their two daughters, Caitlyn (Osvaldo) and Rebecca; sister, Alison Kim (Dave) Reese along with a host of beloved nieces, nephews, extended family member and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, David Dee; his mother, Bo Vernon; his brothers, Everett Lynn, Arthur Eldon, and David Ray; and niece, Sarah Joy Dill.
In lieu of flowers or memorials, the family requests that you take a moment to perform an act of kindness for someone in need or make a donation in Ken's honor to an organization of your choice. Whether it's sharing a hot meal or offering a simple word of encouragement, your kindness and love for others will carry his legacy forward in the most meaningful way.