Kenneth Lightner, Jr

Former Hastings resident, Kenneth Ray Lightner, Jr., 54, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes at his home in Fairfield, Nebraska on Wednesday, October 4, 2017.

Private family services will be held at a later date in Texas. Memorials may be given to the family for a memorial to be established at a later date, c/o Lynne Joy Lightner, 359 VZ County Road 2141, Canton, Texas 75103. There will be no viewing or visitation.

Ken was born May 31, 1963, in Hastings, Nebraska to Kenneth Ray Lightner, Sr. and Lynne Joy (Knapp) Lightner. Ken attended Adams Central High School and graduated in 1981. He attended Auctioneer School while in High School and became an Auctioneer at Lightner's Auction before attending college. Ken loved playing football and was well known in High School for his football talent. He attended Riverside College in Riverside, California on a football scholarship before going to Colorado University in Boulder, Colorado on a football scholarship. He finished his college football career at Nebraska Wesleyan University. In 1992, Ken moved from Nebraska to Phoenix, Arizona to assist his father with the Lightner Liquidation store and auction house. In 2006, he moved to Penrose, Colorado and worked with his father at their liquidation store, "Ken's Trading Post". Ken loved working with his hands, he held various jobs over the years, such as a construction worker where he enjoyed building Pole Barns, loving to see the end product. He was very artistic and learned the art of making chainsaw bears and sold them in Colorado and Nebraska in more recent years. In 2014, Ken moved back to Nebraska and settled in Fairfield, Nebraska. He had a great love for animals, especially dogs, and rescued many over the years. Many would see Ken around town with his special boy, Bouncer, he never left home without him. Ken was a very loving and giving man and would do anything to help out a friend in need.

Ken was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Ray Lightner, Sr.; grandfather, Edward H. Lightner; grandmother, Ruby (Rutt) Lightner; grandfather, Leslie Knapp; and grandmother, Bernice (Miller) Knapp.

SURVIVORS:
Mother:
Lynne Joy (Knapp) Lightner - Canton, TX
Siblings & Spouses:
Keven & Erin Lightner - Lincoln, NE
Keith E. (Korky) & Sheila Lightner - Hastings, NE
Lynne Joy & Gary Shook - Canton, TX
Many Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Nieces & Nephews
His Beloved dogs:
Bouncer, LaLa, and Clubber