Ken Duperon Wiki Bio: Age, Wife, Mission Towing, Highway Thru Hell Career & Facts

From the highways of British Columbia to television screens around the world, Ken Duperon has become a recognizable name in the world of heavy recovery. A Canadian towing operator and reality television personality, he is best known as the longtime operator and public face of Mission Towing Ltd. and for his role on Discovery’s hit series Highway Thru Hell. His work has been central both to the day-to-day demands of the towing industry and to the global reach of the program. His career spans nearly fifty years, during which he has guided crews through challenging recoveries, overseen the growth of a family-founded company, and maintained a steady presence on one of Canada’s most-watched reality programs.

Quick Facts

Full Name	Kenny Duperon
Date of Birth	June 26, 1955
Age	70 years old (as of 2025)
Birthplace	Mission, British Columbia, Canada
Nationality	Canadian
Profession	Towing Operator, Reality Television Personality
Known For	Operator and public face of Mission Towing Ltd.; appearances on Highway Thru Hell (2018–2025, 29 episodes)
Spouse	Val Duperon
Children	Not publicly disclosed
Father	Walter “Wally” Francis Duperon Sr.
Mother	Joy Duperon
Years Active	1970s–present

Early Life and Background

Born on June 26, 1955, in Mission, British Columbia, Ken Duperon grew up in the community that would remain central to his life and career. He is the second son of Walter “Wally” Francis Duperon Sr. and Joy Duperon, and the younger brother of Wally Jr. At the time of his birth, the Duperon family was already involved in towing, and Ken’s upbringing reflected both the work ethic and the community values of his parents, giving him an early familiarity with the realities of roadside assistance in the Fraser Valley.

Building Mission Towing

Mission Towing Ltd. was founded in 1954 by Ambrose “Amby” Duperon and his son Walter “Wally” Francis Duperon Sr., who established Mission Auto Wrecking Ltd. in Mission, British Columbia. Starting with a single tow truck, the business grew steadily into a recognized towing and recovery company that became known locally as Mission Towing.

Wally Duperon Sr., born August 2, 1931, remained central to the company’s development for most of his life. He oversaw its transition from auto wrecking to full towing services and helped establish its reputation across the Fraser Valley. Wally passed away on January 6, 2022, at age 90, leaving behind a business deeply connected to the community and respected within the towing industry.

Ken joined Mission Towing during its second generation, stepping into the family business after Wally Sr. had established its foundation. He worked in towing operations, gradually moved into management, and eventually assumed leadership as the operator and public face of the company, recognized on Highway Thru Hell as Mission Towing’s representative. Under his direction, Mission Towing expanded its heavy‑recovery capacity, responding to major incidents across British Columbia including winter highway shutdowns and multi‑vehicle wrecks. With nearly five decades of experience, Ken has carried forward the Duperon family’s legacy and ensured Mission Towing remains a consistent presence in the regional towing industry.

Highway Thru Hell Fame

Mission Towing began appearing on Highway Thru Hell in Season 5 (2016), taking on Fraser Valley recoveries that highlighted the company’s capabilities. By 2018, Ken Duperon himself became a regular cast member, giving audiences a close look at his leadership and experience.

According to IMDb, Ken appeared as “Self – Mission Towing Owner” in 29 episodes from 2018 to 2025. His screen time showed him leading recoveries and coordinating Mission Towing teams during some of the most difficult highway incidents. His approach emphasized hazard assessment, safe rigging, and measured decision‑making, offering viewers insight into how large‑scale rescues are handled in British Columbia’s mountain passes and winter storms. These depictions linked both Ken and Mission Towing with the reality of heavy‑recovery operations in the Fraser Valley and beyond.

Triumph Over Health Challenges

Ken’s story also carries an emotional edge. Viewers learned that he had suffered a serious heart attack before returning to work on camera in Season 8. Many feared it might be the end of his time on the road. Emergency treatment and a period of recovery kept him away from the trucks, and his absence was noted by both colleagues and fans.

His first public appearance after the health scare came in 2019 at the Aggressive Towing Tow Truck Toy Run, where fellow towing operator Al Quiring welcomed him back in front of the community. This moment marked his re‑emergence in the industry before he returned to television.

Ken’s on‑screen comeback was documented in Season 8, Episode 17 (“Fire Mountain”), aired January 27, 2020, where he led the Mission crew on one of its most daunting recoveries—retrieving a damaged dump truck lodged 200 feet below a mountain road. The program highlighted his return, underscoring both the seriousness of the health scare and the determination it took to resume demanding work. His colleagues acknowledged the risk, but also the value of his decades of judgment on scene.

Personal Life: Wife and Family

Ken Duperon is married to Val Duperon, as noted in public records connected with his family. Beyond her name, however, little else has been shared about her background or their marriage. Details such as when they married or whether they have children remain private, reflecting the Duperon family’s preference to keep personal matters out of the public spotlight. Most public references to Ken and Val appear in family notices, while media coverage of Ken has focused almost entirely on his work with Mission Towing and his appearances on Highway Thru Hell. For this reason, searches for terms like Ken Duperon wife Val or Ken Duperon children yield very limited information.

Succession Questions at Mission Towing at Mission Towing

Fan discussions surrounding Highway Thru Hell have often touched on the future of Mission Towing and who might eventually succeed Ken. Viewers noted that after Ken’s heart attack there was speculation about a transition to younger family members. Some followers pointed to Ken’s nephews, Jordie and Nik, who later went on to establish their own company, while others mentioned Dylan Greenwood, Ken’s son‑in‑law, who instead pursued a management position with Reliable Towing.

Comments shared within fan groups reference an earlier report from Season 5 suggesting Jordie had shown interest in purchasing Mission Towing but that Wally Duperon Sr. was not prepared to sell at that time, leading Jordie to start Jordie’s Auto Rescue. Meanwhile, Dylan’s departure was described by group members as a career decision rather than an ownership move.

These details illustrate why questions of succession at Mission Towing have remained a subject of interest among the show’s audience, even though the company continues under Ken’s leadership.