Ronald L. Hunking, known as Red, age 85, died peacefully with his wife and son there on Jan.10, 2026 at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara.

The cause of death was three previously unknown cancers just discovered two weeks ago on Dec. 24 at the Lompoc ER. The worst was a large tumor in the neck, which encased his spine and nerves causing his pain.

Red was born in Park River, North Dakota, on July 5, 1940 to Fred and Bernice Hunking. He attended elementary school there and graduated from Walsh County Ag. High School in 1958.

He attended Valley City State Teachers College, then was drafted into the Army in 1964-66. He served in Ludiwigsberg, Germany, in the 52nd then 30th medical wing as a clerk typing security clearances for his unit. God bless his high school teacher who taught him how to type, as they needed a clerk.

Half of Red’s unit were sent to Vietnam. Red enjoyed his time in Germany, and his captain would take him to lunch at the local Hof Brau house, where he became friends with the owner and other locals.

Fresh out of the Army, Red went to visit his best friends, teachers Harlan and Carrie Larson and Bob and Penny Haselmo in Lompoc, California.

Once he realized he enjoyed the warmer winter weather and the beautiful coastline, he decided to stay, getting hired at VAFB, again as a clerk, this time for their missile program with Federal Electric.

Red met his wife Jana Green, age 22, in October 1969 at a prearranged Lompoc Jr. High School TGIF party at the Whistle Stop Cocktail Lounge. This was set up by Red’s friends to find him a wife.

Jana was a newly hired eighth-grade science teacher, one of very few women teachers in Lompoc secondary schools — for the next 10 years. Her background in geology helped as she taught chemistry and geology for 32 years in the district.

That meeting went very well. Four months later they became engaged, then were married on Aug. 15, 1970 at Bethania Lutheran Church in Solvang.

Red wanted to become an elementary teacher, and needed a few more credits, so he and Jana moved to Valley City three years later in 1972 to finish his college degree there.

It was exciting for Jana to move to North Dakota as she was born in and came from Phoenix, Arizona, and wanted to experience the minus-30 degree cold she kept hearing about. She got her chance that year in a blizzard just before New Year’s Eve.

After finishing his teaching degree within seven months, they headed back to California. That is when Jana was transferred to Vandenberg Jr. High School, and Red started substituting, hoping to land a teaching job.

Unfortunately, there were no openings at that time, and that is when he got a chance to buy the LPI Cocktail Lounge from friends Al and Annie Levin.

Red and Jana, along with partners Harlan and Carrie Larson, ran the business until 1997 when they sold it. It was a great success with many friends and townspeople supporting the local watering hole.

In 1979 their son Jason was born, bringing much joy to their parents. Jason felt that his Dad taught him the guidelines of how to be a good father as always being there for him, through discipline with love, and teaching him how to repair anything.

Red showed Jason the USA through many enjoyable camper road trips back to North Dakota to see his parents, then later to see all the family on Dave and sister Linda’s large wheat farm.

Red and Steve Straight bought and ran the Ocean Ave. Liquor Store in Lompoc, 1994-99, where Red met many interesting characters that came into his business.

Always a very polite person with a lot of compassion, Red would be kind to these individuals, some veterans with mental problems. A free cup of coffee and a donut, and with Red being a good listener, that seemed to bring them comfort.

In 2002 Red and Jana joined a breakfast group with close friends Dick and Arlene Humble, Gary and Ricki Prucha, and then Pat and Wynn Clevenger, going each Friday to their favorite restaurants in Lompoc.

Red will certainly be missed after 24 years with his Breakfast Buddies and his favorite waitresses.

In the next phase of Red’s life, he decided to build and remodel homes for his friends, starting with the Larson home in Mesa Oaks. His high school jobs in construction in North Dakota helped him learn the trade.

A master builder already, Rudy Rojas in Lompoc worked with Red on many of the jobs, teaching him more skills. Friends such as Don McIntyre, Dick Humble, Richard “Pard” Flynn, Steve Straight and Chato Hernandez also helped him.

Then, just he and Al Jaenicke, and occasionally his wife Jackie, would continue helping friends remodel, build decks, etc. Red and Al worked on Bryan and Kelly Ayer’s first and second homes, at times with her help.

All the lifting and pounding of construction started taking the toll on Red’s body, and he decided it was time to retire for good. All this time, he would be helping his neighbors and others with “quick” fix plumbing, electrical, or “could you make this for me?” jobs.

Red was a member in Lompoc Elks Lodge #2274 for some 57 years. He volunteered to build both the bars in the large room and members lounge, along with other members, helped build the barbecue area, and the outside back entry way.

Red was named Elk of the Year 1992. Over the years, he worked on kitchen crews and helped repair many items at the lodge. He and Jana enjoyed many festivities and meals, along with Happy Hour at the Elks Lodge.

Red was also an active member in the Lompoc Moose Lodge starting in 1981. He was a proud veteran member of the American Legion Post 211 since 1976.

Besides building and repairing, Red enjoyed snow skiing, golf, traveling, a cruise around Norway with Jana and the Larsons to see his Mom’s Norwegian heritage. There were more cruises, and a great Alaskan trip to Skagway with Jana, Jason, and friend Pard.

Jana will remember Red as a loving husband who would rarely ever get upset, a great father to Jason, one who kept his house and property in good working order; did his share of the household chores; and who had compassion for all; and loved fixing everything.

Red will be loved and forever missed by his family and friends.

Red is survived by his wife Jana; son Jason Hunking (Kristin); granddaughter Scarlett; grandson James; sister Linda Kyle (Dave); brother Sterling Hunking; and many nieces and nephews.

Red is preceded in death by his grandmother Amanda Sunderland; parents Fred and Bernice Hunking; and brother Floyd Hunking.

There will be celebration of life at noon Saturday, Jan. 24 at the Lompoc Elks Lodge, 905 E. Ocean Ave., Lompoc,

Instead of flowers, please donate to the Lompoc Elks Lodge #2274 or the American Legion Post #211 in Lompoc, or to your own choice.