Kristopher Avard Kinkade Obituary (1966 - 2020)

Kris was born October 2, 1966 in the LDS Hospital in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Karl and Jean Kinkade and was welcomed by his oldest sister, Jamie and his brother, Kole. His early years were spent in Idaho Falls followed by a move to Bothell, WA where he finished grade school, completed Junior High School and attended Bothell High School. He was an outstanding athlete in Jr. High and High school. He played baseball, football and basketball both at the Jr. High level and high school. At Bothell High he was starting Quarterback in football and Point Guard in basketball. During his football years the emergency room personnel at the hospital knew him by his first name—because he was always getting banged up rather good! He was an excellent student and had a love of music that led to him playing the trumpet in the high school Jazz Band. He was an Eagle Scout and a highlight for both he and his dad was a 50-mile hike in the Olympic Peninsula. Kris totally loved the Northwest—Seattle; Ferries; The San Juan Islands; Crabbing; Salmon Fishing and the Rain! He equally loved all coastline and found the beach a peaceful place. After graduation from High School he went on to BYU for one semester and then was fortunate to join the BYU “Study Abroad Program” to Israel where he made lifelong friends. He lived in a “Kubutz”, was fortunate to walk where Jesus walked, and had his fill of avocados, a favorite food of his. After that semester, he toured Egypt on his own and fell in love with that area of the world. Kris served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Brazil Campinas mission from 1986 to 1988. While there, he served as assistant to the mission president as well as a zone leader. He loved his mission, made lifelong friends there, and loved his Brazilian sisters and brothers. During his time at BYU, he married Janet Linebaugh. He graduated from BYU and went on to 3 years of Law School at Gonzaga University in Spokane WA. After he graduated from Law School, he then attended George Washington Law School in Washington D.C. and graduated with a master’s in environmental law. Kris went on to have a successful career in Corporate Contract Law and business development. He is the father of four girls and one son and was frequently heard saying that they were “his oxygen”. Kris loves his children with all his heart and a lot of his time and effort was thinking about what he could do to better their lives and to just be near them. In November of 2011, Kris married Michelle Beal and together with their 9 children, they loved their life. They ran marathons, skied, mountain biked and traveled. They were quite the team. Kris loved the outdoors and as was mentioned, was an avid and accomplished skier, proficient mountain biker, a golf lover and runner. He loved seeing what the body could do when you were disciplined and trained. Kris served in many capacities in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was Young Men’s president several times over during the course of his life and held positions in the Elders Quorum and Gospel Doctrine teacher. He had a deep love for his Savior, he loved to teach and those that came to know him knew of his testimony of Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Fathers plan for each one of us. Kris was a true friend and loved people, especially his family. Kris loved his Mom who taught him the love of reading, music, and the history of our great country. We love Kris so much and we are so thankful Heavenly Father allowed us to be with him for those 53 wonderful years. We know we will see him again.