Kenneth was born on September 27, 1962 in Beeville, Texas to the late Magdalen Marie Michna Hartt and the late Billy Ray Hartt. Kenneth was at a young age when his family relocated to the North Austin area. He attended Saint Louis Private Catholic School and later on graduated high school from Pflugerville, Texas.
In 1981, Kenneth enlisted in the United States Coast Guard where he went to different training schools and several locations. It was not long before Kenneth left his mark for his dedicated service. While stationed in Port Aransas, Texas with the SAR team, he received several marksmanship medals, and his highest-ranking medal, the Coast Guard Commendation Medal. His skills as a coxswain and EMT helped rescue the lives of five individuals during a dangerous storm. He was also a recipient of the Association for Rescue at Sea (AFRAS) award and medal that distinguishes individuals worldwide for dangerous rescue missions. The United States Naval League also presented him with a plaque for extraordinary heroism. Kenneth served his country for 7 years.
Kenneth married his loving and dedicated wife, Crystal, in 1987 while he was last stationed in Port O’Connor, Texas. This area of Calhoun County provided the back drop of the next phase of his life. Kenneth worked for Carroll Construction for a few years before he was hired on at Formosa Plastics in the PVC unit in 1992. In 1993, they welcomed their beautiful and long-awaited daughter, Jessica. Kenneth worked for Formosa Plastics as a chemical process operator for 32 years until his retirement in February of this year.
Kenneth was a loving and caring man who dedicated his life to his country and family. He was well traveled, but always wanted to go and experience more of the world. He was an avid hiker, rancher, and loved going on his long bike rides. He had a love for fishing, hunting, and planting and caring for trees. Kenneth was also looking forward to meeting his first grandchild Baby Jinks in November.
Kenneth is survived by his wife Crystal Sellers Hartt, daughter Jessica Jinks and husband Wesley Jinks of Conroe, Texas. Two brothers Michael Hartt and wife Karen of San Marcos, Bryan Hartt and wife Melanie of Hallettsville, Texas. He leaves behind several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind three foreign exchange students that became loving daughters to him, Nele (Jannis) Gaessner of Berlin, Germany, Rebecca Meier of Munich, Germany, and Christina Fischbacher of Vienna, Austria.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 12, 2025 from 5:00-7:00 pm with a rosary to follow at 7:00 pm at Richardson Colonial Funeral Home in Port Lavaca, Texas. Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, October 13, 2025 at 10:00 am at Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church in Port Lavaca, Texas. Burial with Military Honors will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Hallettsville, Texas on Monday October 13, 2025 at 1:00 pm.
Honoring him by serving as Pallbearers will be Wesley Jinks, Bryan Hartt, Mike Hartt, Wesley Sellers, Garrett Snyder, Luis DeLaGarza, Duke Tomlinson, and Pete Black. Honorary Pallbearers are His work family at Formosa Plastics Corporation-Texas PVC Unit.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of South Texas, 605 E Locust Ave., Victoria, TX 77901.
Words of comfort, condolences and fond memories may be shared with the family at www.richardsoncolonial.com.
