Kenneth Lloyd Hardcastle

Kenneth Lloyd Hardcastle left his beloved Seguin ranch on the Guadalupe River for greener pastures on February 7, 2026. He was a natural born leader and epic hero to his extensive fan club which included most everyone he met. He was known for his sense of humor, work ethic and deep love of family, including those who considered him to be their mentor, adoptive father figure and extra special lifelong friend.

Born on the family farm in Gonzales County, Tx on July 29, 1934, Kenneth was the first son – and second of six children – born to Lloyd and Irene Hardcastle. He spent his early years exploring the pastures and fishing ponds on the farm and in the mid 1940s lived in Belmont and Gonzales. He graduated from Gonzales High School in 1952. Excelling at all sports, Ken’s athletic prowess on the football field landed him a full scholarship to college. He played football for the University of Texas and Southwest Texas (Texas State) University where he met and married Sandra Funk in December of 1956. Ken and Sandy were married over 60 years at the time of her death in 2017.

He graduated from SWT in 1957 with a BBA and began building an impressive career using his business skills for a variety of organizations. In 1959 he began a 35-year career at Cameron Iron Works in Houston and was soon serving as President of the Cameron Forge Company, managing an international operation which allowed him to travel the world. Ken was part of the executive team that negotiated Cameron’s sale to Cooper Industries and Wyman-Gordon, prior to retiring in 1994.

Ken’s next job was likely his favorite: clearing and managing his 150-acre ranch in Seguin on his beloved Guadalupe River raising cows and spending time with his fiancée, friends and family until his death February 7.

Ken was preceded in death by Sandy’s parents Eugene and Carrye Funk and survived by brother Jerry Funk and wife Sue. 

He had five siblings: Dorothy (Vernon) Bruns, Carolyn (Franklin) Caraway, Betty (Roy) Wright, Richard (Carol Rhea) Hardcastle, and Steve (Heidi) Hardcastle. Ken will also be missed by his fiancee Rebecca (Becky) McMinn, his four children (and their spouses): April and Randy Canik, Kendy and Terrell Gravett, Michael and Sabrina Hardcastle, and Jill and David Wilhelm and many other beloved family members and friends.

He would likely say his most cherished job title was “Pepaw” to 10 grandchildren: Jordan and Cameron Canik; Brendan and Britney Gravett; Caleb, David, Nathan and Reagan Hardcastle; and Josh and Katie Wilhelm, and four great grandchildren: Amber and Carson Canik and Maverick and Zedekai Hardcastle.

His favorite nickname of “Sweets” came from his fiancee Becky McMinn who made his last nine years extra special and the Hardcastle family circle even bigger. Ken loved sharing the ranch life, chores, and the back porch with Becky, and sharing his many amusing stories.

All who had the pleasure of knowing Kenneth Hardcastle would say he had integrity, selfless generosity, as well as a personality that was bigger than Texas. He was a master storyteller and griller, skilled hunter, a generous philanthropist, loving family man, and practical jokester. He was never idle and therefore lived 91 fulfilling years, building an enduring legacy of love that will live on in the lives he touched across the globe.

A celebration of life will be held in April at Hardcastle ranch. In lieu of flowers, donations can be given to the Carson’s Crusaders Foundation (https://carsonscrusadersfoundation.org/ ) in honor of his great grandson Carson Canik who is a leukemia survivor.

Psalms 115:16 “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.”