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: his siblings, four children, 10 grandchildren, four great grandchildren, extended family, former teammates, fellow employees, neighbors, and 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. 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 that led him to travel the world by the time he retired as President of the Cameron Forge Company 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 friends and family until his death February 7.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Dorothy Bruns, brother Richard Hardcastle and wife Sandra Funk and her parents: Eugene and Carrye Funk.
Kenneth is survived by his siblings Carolyn Caraway, Betty Wright and Steve Hardcastle and four children (and their spouses): April and Randy Canik, Kendy and Terrell Gravett, Michael and Sabrina Hardcastle, and Jill and David Wilhelm. He would likely say his favorite job title was “Pepaw” to 10 grandchildren: Jordan and Cameron Canik; Brendan and Britney Gravett; Caleb, David, Nathan and Reagan Hardcastle; and Joshua and Katie Wilhelm, and great grandchildren: Amber and Carson Canik, Maverick Hardcastle and Zedekai Hardcastle.
All who had the pleasure of knowing Kenneth Hardcastle would say he had selfless humility 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.
To continue Ken’s gift of giving and honor his life and his grandson Carson Canik who is a leukemia survivor, you can contribute to Carson’s Crusaders Foundation ( https://carsonscrusadersfoundation.org/ )
Psalms 115:16 “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.”