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, CA. The cause of death was previously 3 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 H.S. teacher who taught him how to type, as they needed a clerk!..... Half of his 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, he went to visit his best friends ( teachers,) Harlan and Carrie Larson and Bob and Penny Haselmo in Lompoc, Ca. Once he realized he enjoyed the warmer winter weather and the beautiful coastline, he decided to stay, getting hired at VAFB, again being a clerk, this time for their Missile program with Federal Electric.

He met his wife Jana Green, age 22, in Oct. 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! She was a newly hired 8th 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. Well, that meeting went very well, as 4 months later they became engaged, and then were married in Solvang at the Bethania Lutheran Church on Aug. 15,1970.

Red wanted to become an elementary teacher, and needed a few more credits, so he and Jana moved to Valley City 3 years later in 1972 to finish his college degree there. It was exciting for Jana to move to N.D, as she was born and came from Phoenix , AZ 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 Years Eve! After finishing up his teaching degree within 7 months, they headed back to CA. That is when Jana was transferred to Vandenberg Jr. H.S, and Red started substituting, hoping to land a teaching job.

Unfortunately, there were not openings at that time, and that is when he got a chance to buy the LPI Cocktail Lounge from friends Al & Annie Levin. He 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 & 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, & teaching him how to repair anything. Red showed him the USA through many enjoyable camper road trips back to ND 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 from 1994-1999, 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 Vets that had mental problems. A free cup of coffee & 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 & Arlene Humble, Gary & Ricki Prucha, and then Pat & 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 ND, helped him learn the trade. A Master Builder already, Rudy Rojas in Lompoc worked with him on many of the jobs, teaching him more skills. Friends such as Don McIntyre, Dick Humble, Richard “Pard” Flynn, Steve Straight & Chato Hernandez also helped him. Then, just he and Al Jaenicke, & occasionally his wife Jackie, would continue helping friends remodel, build decks, etc. Red and Al worked on Bryan & Kelly Ayer’s 1st, then 2nd homes, at times with her help. All the lifting, & pounding of construction started taking the toll on his 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 over 57 years. Red volunteered to build both the bars in the large room & Members lounge, along with other members, helped build the BarBQ area, & the outside back entry way. He was named Elk of the year 1992. Over the years, he worked on kitchen crews & help repair many items at the lodge. He and Jana enjoyed many festivities and meals, along with Happy Hour at the Elks Lodge over the years.

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 & 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 (Dave) Kyle, brother Sterling Hunking, & 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 on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at the Lompoc Elks Lodge, starting at noon.

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