Fr. Kenneth Hume Obituary

May 24, 1933 - October 4, 2023

In the late afternoon of Wedn October 4, Fr. Ken Hume passed away. He was ninety years old and had celebrated his sixtieth anniversary as a priest. He received last rites shortly before from Bishop Ken Steiner, his long-time friend from seminary

days.

Kenneth Hume was born on May 24, 1933, in Mollala, Oregon, to Max and Rosa Hume. He attended St. John the Apostle grade school and Oregon City High School. After graduating from high school, he began studying pharmacy. However, the Korean War changed his plans, and he entered the US Navy in 1951. During his time in the Navy, he became drawn to the priesthood, and on completion of his service, he entered Mount Angel Seminary in 1954. On May 25, 1963, he was ordained to the priesthood at the Cathedral by Archbishop Howard.

After his ordination he served at Queen of Peace parish in Portland, then, St. Mary in Corvallis, and after that at St. Rose in Portland. In November 1970, he entered the military chaplaincy with the US Army. He initially served at Fort Lewis in Washington. Later his service took him to Vietnam, Yale University Medical Center, Germany, and Fort Lewis for a second assignment there. After this, he served at Dwight Davis Medical Center, in Turkey, at Fort Richardson in Alaska, Fort Irwin in California, and Fort Ord in California.

In December 1988, Fr. Hume retired as a Lieutenant Colonel and returned to the archdiocese to help care for his aging mother. He regularly covered parishes in the Portland metro area. After his mother’s death he assisted in parishes further afield in the archdiocese, and in the Baker diocese.

Later he became very involved in an outreach for orphans in Latin America and the Caribbean. He made numerous trips to the orphanages and personally sponsored 27 children from their earliest years through high school, and in some cases through college. He also supported several building projects in this work.

Please keep Fr. Hume, and his family and friends in your prayers at this sorrowful time. Fr. Hume’s funeral Mass will take place at St. John in Oregon City on Friday, October 13 at 1:00 p.m. Bishop Steiner will preside.