Kent Ray Hoffpauir

Kent Ray Hoffpauir, 72, went home to be with the Lord on August 1, 2026, in Strafford, Missouri.

Kent was born July 23, 1954, in Crowley, Louisiana, to Leamon Bryce Hoffpauir and Lilla Mae Hoffpauir. He grew up in southwest Louisiana alongside his four siblings, where he developed a lifelong love for Cajun cooking, especially a good pot of gumbo, along with crawfish, rice dressing, and cornbread.

In 1976, he married Liz Spell, and together they raised their two sons, Jared and Evan.

Kent spent his career in service to people and institutions he believed in — as city clerk for the City of Crowley and the City of Springfield; business manager for Branson Schools; and in records management for the Assemblies of God Headquarters and O'Reilly Auto Parts. His years at O'Reilly took him across the country, and he made a habit of turning every work trip into a chance to explore a national park.

His curiosity and energy showed up in his countless hobbies. He raised doves and loved watching birds for hours in his backyard. He was a dedicated model train collector and collected nativity sets and nutcrackers by the shelf full. He loved sports and the outdoors — hiking, biking, tennis, and ping pong, and flying kites with his kids and grandkids. He was a devoted sports fan, cheering on the Cardinals and LSU football, and had followed the Saints since the days of the "Aints."

Kent was a storyteller and a committed dad-joke teller who never once cared if he looked ridiculous dancing in front of his kids or grandkids — he did it anyway.

Kent loved a full house, always ready with games and toys for anyone who came through the door, and he never missed a chance to play with his grandkids. He also had a green thumb, tending plants and flowers with the knowledge to back it up. On weekends, he could be found working in the shed, building birdcages and any project that caught his attention. His collection of scrap wood was a prized possession, and he was no stranger to a good thrift store, garage sale, or swap meet.

However, it was evident that, above all of it, stood his faith. He loved Jesus, his Bible, and his church, serving in any way he could, like singing in the choir, playing guitar, and leading worship in Sunday school. In his younger years, he traveled and sang with a gospel quartet, recorded a couple of albums of worship music, and sang specials in churches, including at Assemblies of God Headquarters.

Kent battled Type 1 Diabetes for most of his life and was diagnosed with dementia in his final years. As the disease took more of his memory, it never touched his faith. Even in his last weeks, he would stop mid-conversation to pray out loud, thanking God for his family and the grace he had been given.

Kent was preceded in death by his parents, Leamon and Lilla Mae Hoffpauir.

He is survived by his siblings, Lonnie Hoffpauir, Judy (Tommy) Frease, Rickey (Sue) Hoffpauir, and Don (Jannette) Hoffpauir; his sons, Jared (Joanna) Hoffpauir of Nixa, and Evan (Madison) Hoffpauir of Omaha, NE; and fifteen grandchildren Nicole (Zach) Lemmon, Averie (Tim) Dutton, Elena (Corbin) Speaks, Bailey, Aiden, Blayne, Arlo, Rowan, Bannon, Evalyn, Dawson, Silas, and one great-grandson Callan Dutton.

A funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at Adams Funeral Home, Nixa.  Burial will follow the service at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.