Christian Hunker

Christian Holland Hunker, of Killeen, Texas, passed away on April 5, 2026 at the age of 71. He was born on April 6, 1954 in Peoria, Illinois to the late David and Claire Hunker.

He is preceded by his older brother Scott and step-mother, Melba. He is survived by his wife, Maricel Trinidad-Hunker; his children, Elliot Hunker, Elizabeth Hunker, Eric Hunker, and Emmet Hunker; and his stepson, Martin Trinidad.

He lived up to his ideals of service, charity, and hard work in every moment of every day he spent with his family and community - every day of his life. After attending the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Christian volunteered to join the Marines in 1972.

After his service in the Marines in the Vietnam era, he devoted himself to charitable work globally, locally, and at home. From missions in Africa to fundraisers driving across the country to hosting international students at home - through contributions to dozens of charities - Christian gave everything he could to everyone he could.

A dedicated and hardworking salesman, Christian never retired - bringing his passion for people and and travel to every role he held – from his early days working with his Marines alum in the seafood industry in San Francisco, to his most recent work with Wellshire Farms.

He had a gift for connecting with people and was known for his undeniable humor and personality he brought, from personal moments and conversations struck up with strangers, to simple comedic gestures like wearing a crowd-pleasing hot dog hat while serving samples at Whole Foods.

Combining his personality and work ethic, he always had a hilarious or brilliant idea for a business, work of art, or charitable endeavor, like his newspaper The Capital Crusader, published during his years living in the Washington D.C. area.

At his home in Killeen, he tended to a vibrant and ever-growing garden, filled with fruit trees, vegetables, flowers, and beautifully kept hedges, giant sunflowers and roses - all a testament to his green thumb. He threw himself into hands-on projects and simple pleasures, like making candy, building home libraries, making his own wood fire ovens for baking fresh bread and homemade pizza - always with and for his family. He also had a keen eye and passion for rescuing and collecting hidden treasures at auctions across the country, always on the lookout for a good find and a good story.

An animal lover through and through, Christian cared for creatures of all kinds, from childhood pets, to his koi pond, to parakeets, rabbits, cats and dogs through the decades - even keeping a homing pigeon coop at one time, after reading about the Victorian-era trend.

He will be remembered for his quirky spirit, sharp wit, and inventive mind, as well as his remarkable and ever-present warmth and generosity. If his children ever said they were bored, he famously responded “write a poem, sing a song, ride a bike!” Never content with boredom, he loved to sing, to read, to quote great minds and offer advice, a song, or a joke whenever the moment called for it - or sometimes all three at once - to his friends, family, and the people around him. From telling bed time stories to his children, through soccer, baseball, and karate practices, to graduations, holidays, moments of victory and strife - he was always there, always supportive, bringing care, devotion, humor and wisdom that transformed the lives of everyone he touched.

Above all, he was a devoted husband and father who was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Visitation will be held on April 8, 2026, at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home, 1615 South Fort Hood Road, Killeen, TX from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM, followed by a Funeral Service at 10:30 AM. A Committal Service will take place at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, Killeen, TX, US, on April 8, 2026, at 12:00 PM.