Kenneth Hobby Obituary

Kenneth Lester Hobby, age 78, of Searcy passed away on March 3, 2025. Although Ken was born in Searcy, Ark., he grew up as part of a missionary family in Northern Rhodesia, now Zambia. While a student at Harding College, he met Ann Adair and they were married on Aug. 20, 1967. Ken and Ann enjoyed over 57 years together.

Ken held a Ph.D. in psychology and, along with other clinical work, he was a professor at Harding University for 30 years. He was a member and deacon at College Church of Christ, enjoyed being outdoors and camping, and took great pleasure in giving gifts to his friends and loved ones. Ken was a great example of generosity and Christian faithfulness to his family.

For the last 20 years of his life, Ken devoted his time, efforts and resources to mission work in Zambia. He passionately contributed to and secured funding for the Alvin and Georgia Hobby Scholarship, which provides Zambian students with higher education, vocational training and evangelism training. Graduates of this program are prepared to start churches in areas of Zambia where the gospel has not been preached before. Ken worked endlessly to ensure funding for transportation for missionaries, roofs for church buildings, Bibles, song books and countless other resources. His many fundraising efforts and collaborations with churches, individuals and entities such as the Don Lawrence Trust, will continue to provide necessary support for this ongoing work for many years to come. Since 2021, Ken served as the trust advisor for the Don Lawrence trust, directing funding to Zambian Missions, World Bible School, Gospel Chariot Missions and other gospel-spreading programs.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Georgia, and his brothers Paul, George and David. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Ann; a sister, Anita Mitchell (Dennis); four children – Anessa Westbrook (Tim), Jared Hobby (Charissa), Tianna Tripp (Kevin) and Gerren Hobby (Jess); and 10 grandchildren – Alina Stout (Blake), Anna Yingling (Derek), Theo Westbrook, Braden Hobby, Cullen Hobby, Brinley Hobby, Carly Hobby, Katie Tripp, Alexander Hobby and Bennett Hobby.

Donations can be made in Ken's memory to the Alvin and Georgia Hobby Scholarship fund: abundant.co/ collegechurch/websitegiving.