James Kenneth Hoover
Ken Hoover
James Kenneth Hoover, 90, died Jan. 12, 2026, at Park Lane Nursing Home in Scott City.
He was born on Jan. 8, 1936, in Scott City, the son of Harley and Ruth (Huff) Hoover.
Ken and his brother, Harold, each had polio in their youth. Ken was four years old at the time.
Ken graduated from Scott Community High School in 1953. He loved to play tennis and qualified for state his senior year with his best friend and doubles partner, Robert Miller.
In 1954, Ken attended Coyne Electrical School in Chicago, Ill., and then became partners in the Hoover Electric business in Scott City with his brother and father.
Ken retired from that business in 2004.
Ken married Karen Joan Miller in 1956 and they made their home in Scott City. She survives.
Ken and Karen owned the Christian bookstore, The Brotherhood Bookshelf.
Ken was a member of the First Baptist Church in Scott City where he served as a deacon and on several different boards.
Ken accepted the Lord Jesus as a young man. He was a member of men’s groups and a Bible Study group for many years.
Ken became a fireman with the volunteer fire department in 1964. He served as the Scott City Fire Chief from 1980 until 2018 when he retired.
Ken also served for several years on the Scott City Council.
Ken always loved to get together with his family and take his son and son-in-law fishing. The three went fishing in Canada one year and Ken caught the biggest fish of his life. It was so large he could hardly pull it in.
Other survivors include his son, Darin James Hoover and wife, Joyce, Little Rock, Ark.; daughter, Shari Davon Gaston and husband, Gary, Wichita; and grandchildren, Kara Marie Hoover and Jeremy, Kylee, Brandon, Stephen and Zachary Gaston.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Harold, and his wife, Mary Ann (Wikle) Hoover, and a grandson, Aaron James Gaston.
Visitation will be Thurs., Jan. 22, from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Fri., Jan. 23, from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., at Price and Sons Funeral Home, 401 S. Washington St., Scott City.
The family will be present on Friday from 4:00-6:00 p.m.
The funeral service will be Sat., Jan. 24, 2:00 p.m., at the First Baptist Church in Scott City with Rev. Kyle Evans presiding.
Interment will be in the Scott County Cemetery.
Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Scott County Fire Department or Park Lane Nursing Home in care of Price and Sons Funeral Homes, Box 553, Scott City, Ks. 67871.