ARCATA, Calif.--- Ken Dunaway, who was inducted into the Humboldt State Department of Athletics Hall of Fame in 1976, passed away peacefully at home at the age of 90, after a short and brave battle with cancer. 

A resident of Fortuna for over 80 years, Dunaway graduated from Humboldt State in 1950.  He was called one of the most versatile athletes in Humboldt State history, earning 14 varsity letters during an illustrious four-year career. Dunaway, who played four major sports although only 5-9, 160-pounds, captained the football, basketball, and baseball teams in his senior year. He was all-conference and leading scorer as a senior in basketball and was awarded the Bob Brennan Most Valuable Player trophy in baseball. Upon graduation he signed a professional baseball contract with the San Francisco Seals of the Pacific Coast League. However, he chose to attend graduate school instead and played several seasons with the Humboldt Crabs. Highlights in his college career included a 78-yard run in football, a 34-point performance in basketball, and batting over .400 in baseball. Dunaway played for Humboldt during the late '40s and early '50s.

In addition to being inducted into Humboldt State's Hall of Fame for football, basketball, baseball, and track, he was also inducted into the Hall of Fame at Fortuna High School. In 2000, Ken was included in 1999 by the Times-Standard's list of "The Century's 50 Best Humboldt County Athletes".

Dunaway was born in Gratis, Ohio in 1929. He, his siblings, and parents Judge William "Bill" and Eva Dunaway moved to Fortuna when he was in the 7th grade; he became a well-known and celebrated Fortuna High School and Humboldt State athlete.

He also was a celebrated Humboldt Crabs baseball player both before and after he served as a Navy officer during the Korean War, and was eventually inducted into the Crabs' Hall of Fame.

A beloved teacher and school principal in the 1950s and 60s at Fortuna area elementary schools, Ken and his wife Virginia later purchased and operated Kemp's Nursery for many years. In 1980, they opened the Sport & Cycle stores in Fortuna and Eureka.

Ken was an avid golfer and has been a member of the Redwood Empire Golf & Country Club since the 1960s, and was proud to have "golfed his age" while playing every week prior to his cancer diagnosis. In addition to countless local golf games, he and his friends traveled on many adventurous golf trips and to many SF Giants games. He will be remembered as a kind, fun-loving man who was loved by all.

He is survived by his loving wife of over 60 years, Virginia, sons Gary, Todd (Toni), Tracy (Penny), daughter Debra (Christopher), grandchildren Michael (Iladda), Lani, Taryn, and Brooke, and great-grandchildren Gavin, Amara, and Sunny.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. It was Ken's wish that in lieu of flowers, donations in his name be made to Redwood Empire Golf & Country Club, c/o Redwood Capital Bank, Fortuna Branch, Attn: Bob Judevine.

You can also view his Obituary at https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2020/may/14/obituary-ken-dunaway-1929-2020/