Kevin Hunt keeps busy with nine children and 41 grandchildren.
The first-place winner of the 2022 Best Dad InMaricopa contest sponsored by Maricopa Ace Hardware was nominated by his daughter Lana Allred and several other children.
“These fathers that were all nominated, they all have one thing in common and that’s serving their families and serving others,” Ace Hardware owner Dave Karsten said Saturday as the winners gathered – in person and on video – at the hardware store to accept their prizes. “We got 40 nominations, and you know there are a lot of dads out there working hard every day.”
There is never a dull day for Hunt, according to the nomination submitted by Allred.
“He takes them on bike rides, plays games, attends all their events,” she wrote. “Let me tell you, that is a lot of events to attend, even the out-of-state kids’ and grandkids’ events.”
As the top winner in the contest, Hunt had his choice of three prize packages from Ace Hardware. He selected the whole-house paint package with 25 gallons of Dunn Edwards paint, valued at $1,000.
He will also receive a family photo session from Victor Moreno Photography ($350), a $200 bill credit from Electrical District 3, essential house cleaning from The Maids of Maricopa ($195), a smart thermostat from 911 Air Repair ($150), garage door general maintenance from ANOZIRA Door Systems ($140), and a cooler from Exceptional Hospital.
Hunt’s wife, Lou, won third place in May’s Best Mom InMaricopa contest.
Second-place winner Justin Johnston was not able to attend the prize session in person: he was in Las Vegas visiting his own father for Father’s Day.
But with the help of his wife, Cherilyn, Johnston joined the group via FaceTime. His two children help his wife claim his prize.
“He has had a lot of challenges in his way, and he never let that get in the way of showing how important his kids are,” Cherilyn said Saturday of her husband.
Johnston selected a prize package of a Traeger Pro 575 Grill, with the Pro 575 starter package, which includes grill cover, chicken, poultry and prime rib rubs, apricot BBQ sauce, Traeger ‘Que BBQ Sauce, Traeger hat and Traeger holiday ornament, valued at $1,000.
He also will receive a family photo session from M Photography ($250), a $75 gift certificate for yard care from Donovan’s Landscaping, a $50 Circle K Gift Card, hat and tin mug from Wildcat Landscape Supply and a cooler from Exceptional Hospital.
Mark Webb Jr., the third-place winner, was nominated by his daughter Zoe Joy.
“He is a great dad, and he is always there for us,” she said Saturday when asked why she nominated her father. Mark’s son, Chase, added his dad is always going the extra step to make him happy, both playing with him and letting him play on his computer.
“Family always comes first with him. He is always there for his siblings, parents and kids,” his wife Larah said.
Mark said that he was not expecting to be nominated, and that he was speechless, but said “It’s nice being loved and knowing that everyone cares.”
Mark Webb Jr. was awarded a DeWalt power tools combo kit, with swag, valued at $1,000.
He will also receive a $75 gift certificate for yard care from Donovan’s Landscaping, a $50 gift card from Honeycutt Coffee, a t-shirt from Wildcat Landscape Supply and a cooler from Exceptional Hospital.
Webb’s father, Mark Webb Sr., won second place in last year’s Best Dad InMaricopa contest.
