Ken Gaub, 87, went to his heavenly home on February 16, 2023. Born December 8, 1935, in Loveland, Colorado, he was the son of the late John C. and Millie (Schultz) Gaub. On this side of eternity, we are saddened by our loss, yet rejoicing that Ken has stepped across the threshold into his eternal home to the Savior’s words, “well done, good and faithful servant”.

Ken was saved under the Billy Graham ministries. After finishing Bible School in Seattle, Washington, in 1954, and marrying the love of his life Barbara Mains, moved to Kentucky, where he pastored for two years. This would only give him the heart to reach more people with the gospel. In 1956, Ken started traveling to areas close to his church to preach where they didn’t have any churches. By 1957, he resigned from his church and began traveling full-time. He got a semi-truck and a big tent so that he could go into any town and have a place to minister. He continued until the mid-60s, when he got rid of the tent, and continued to travel with his family singing and preaching the gospel.

Ken was not your average guy, but truly was a pioneer of many changes in Christian music and speaking. Back in the 70s, Ken saw the need for change in Christian music. Wanting to reach a younger audience he formed a band within his quartet-style family. His two sons and brother started a band, called Eternity Express. When the Ken Gaub Family Singers were ministering in a town, the band would sing in high schools, introducing the new Christian rock style of music appealing to the younger generation. Many churches were not on board with this new style of Christian music with drums and guitars. But Ken moved forward and really helped people see that “Christian Crossover music” was here to stay.

He also had a different style of preaching. He brought in a style of comedy that people were not used to at church. This allowed him to speak where ministers were not able to. After he got you laughing, he would turn it into a biblical message of God’s love and how you could receive everlasting life. He spoke not only in churches, but prisons, schools, conventions, the military, and even government assemblies. He authored seven books, and too many recordings and videos to mention.

For many years, he traveled to Israel with Kash Amburgy Tours, and in 1968 started his own groups to Israel. For over 50 years, he has taken over 160 tours and thousands of people on a trip of a lifetime. Israel was the country he loved most and even in the end still wanted to go.

Ken was a man of faith to the end. In the last 6 months of his life, after a car accident, he continued to hold strong to his faith, never wavering. He will be remembered as a man of faith, minister, soul-winner, son, brother, husband, father, papa, and friend.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Jane Mains-Gaub, parents, John C. and Millie (Schultz) Gaub, sister, Shirley Ann Ericson-Schmitt, brothers, Michael Allen Gaub and Paul Gene Gaub, sons, Daniel John Gaub, and Kenneth Lee Gaub Jr. He is survived by son, Nathan Lee Gaub (wife, Doris), daughter-in-law, Dawndee Gaub, and daughter, Rebekah Gaub Segura (husband, Santiago), all of Yakima, sisters, Carol McMurray of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Esther (husband, Pat) Ragan of Spokane, Washington, Ruth (husband, Gary) Eaton of Porterville, California, and sister-in-law, Dee Dee Gaub of Allen, Texas, eight grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren and many many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be on April 22, 2023, at Yakima Foursquare Church, at 11:00am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Ken Gaub Ministries (P.O. Box 1, Yakima, WA 98907). This will keep his radio ministry going as long as possible. Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.brooksidefuneral.com.

 

Barbara Jane Gaub 1936 – 2021
We miss her every day.