Joseph H. Kinder Obituary (1937 - 2020)

Our wonderful Father, Papa, and Great Papa passed away peacefully April 14, 2020. Joe worked for Union Pacific Railroad for 42 plus years. He loved Harleys, Hot Rods, and sips of Bourbon. He enjoyed working on engines and talking about the NHRA drag races with his son, watching football, Utah Jazz Basketball and Nascar races with his daughter. He proudly taught his grandchildren how to change their oil, fix a flat and many other essential life lessons. If you knew Joe, you would know he was a jack of all trades. Raising a family of three was not always easy nor cheap, to save money he would sew clothes for the children with the old Singer sewing machine. He would even make his own soles out of Uniroyal car tires and attach it to his worn-out boots. When it came to his cars, he always made them be a street “legal” hot rod that he customized to throw flames out the sides when you took the caps off the dump tubes, that he made himself out of cast iron sewer pipes. He always knew family’s needs came before the cars. He could make a temporary gasket out of a paper sack, patch his own tires, make any repairs himself to save money. Joe did not keep his tight budgeted abilities to himself. He was always willing to fix the neighborhood children’s bicycles. He was always willing to help a person out whether it be welding, car repairs, or handy man repairs. When it came to making parts to get by his mind was a wonderful place for creations. He loved his Harley Davidson’s, when riding with the stock handlebars got uncomfortable, he welded some higher handles, famously known in the biker world as “Ape Hangers”. As his family grew, he sold the bike to provide for his family. He always knew the sound of a Harley and could hear one from miles away. In his later years he had inherited a 66’ Impala. He wanted to make sure there was no possible way it could be stolen. He created a masterpiece known to many now days as “push to start”, of course you still had to have the key in the On position but underneath the dash was a button you’d push to crank the engine. The family always teased him that his inventions should have been patented. The creative things he did was not for the money, he genuinely enjoyed working with his hands, thinking of creative affordable ways to fix/improve things. He is survived by Son, Timothy J. Kinder; Daughter Tammie C. Kinder; Daughter Tawnya M. Kinder; 9 Grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren. He was proceeded in death by his loving wife Colleen Kinder. Joe made many sacrifices to always be sure his wife, children and grandchildren were taken care of and happy. He was the kindest, caring, most selfless person one would have ever met. He will always be known by: Knight in Shining Armor – Tawnya Kinder Best Dad a son can ask for – Timothy Kinder A viewing for Family will be held April 20, 2020 from 10:00am to 10:45 a.m. at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 South State Street. Graveside services will be at same day at 11:00 a.m. at Murray Cemetery 5490 South Vine Street Murray, Utah. Friends are encouraged to attend graveside service only.