Clair Dean Kinkade
Clair Dean Kinkade
Clair Dean Kinkade
April 24, 1934 – May 26, 2019
What Cheer, Iowa | Age 85
Clair D. Kinkade, 85, of What Cheer, previously of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, May 26, 2019 at Serenity House Hospice in Oskaloosa. He was born April 2nd, 1934 in rural Mahaska County to Melvin and Madge Garrett Kinkade.
Clair graduated from What Cheer High School with the class of 1952. After High School he joined the US Marine Corps and was later honorably discharged so he returned home to help his family on the farm.
In April of 1964 Clair met and started dating the love of his life Beverly Ann Bruns. They were married in January of 1965 and shared the next 54 years together. For the first thirty years of their marriage they lived mainly in Mahaska and Keokuk counties. Then in 1995 they moved to Branson Missouri, returning to Iowa in 2013. No matter where he lived Clair made many great friends and never met a stranger.
In his 85 years Clair held many titles and wore many hats. He was a son, a brother, a friend. He was also a farmer, a truck driver, a factory worker, feed salesman, farm hand, a miniature horse farmer, wood worker. While in Missouri, he spent time as a security guard, hotel maintenance, and even limo/shuttle driver. Clair was also known to be a great storyteller, jokester, and Easter egg hider. He would talk your ear off if you let him, but he was polite, courteous and caring of all those around him until his very last days on this earth. Of all of these titles, the ones that meant the most to him were Husband, Dad, Grandpa, and most recently Papa.
While in Missouri, Clair was recognized by the state as an Outstanding “Retired” Worker. He and Bev were charter members of Forsyth Christian Church in Forsyth MO., and members of First Christian Church in Oskaloosa. Clair enjoyed mowing the lawn and upkeep of the beautiful flowers that always adorned their homes, going to auctions, and attending any activity his grandkids were involved in.
Those left to cherish Clair’s memory are his wife, Beverly; his two daughters, Melinda Kinkade of What Cheer and Michelle Hynick (& fiancé Mike Mason) of Oskaloosa; five grandchildren: Paige (& Antonio) Ponce Bermudez, Zachariah Hynick, Kaitlin Kinkade, Noah Hynick, Sadie Hynick; and the apple of his eye, his great grandson, Denver Dean Ponce Bermudez. Also, a very special “adopted” daughter, Jody Zuniga. Clair is also survived by sisters-in-law: Marcella Redlinger, Barbara (& Allen) Raplinger, and Lori Kool; and brothers-in-law: Gary (& Connie) Bruns and Scott (& Becky) Bruns; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, Raymond & Lavera Bruns; his brother, Lowell Kinkade (5/25/19); and a brother-in-law, James Redlinger.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff and nurses of MHP Serenity House for the excellent care shown to all of us in Clair’s last days.
Funeral services will begin at 11:00 am on Friday, May 31, 2019 at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in What Cheer.
Burial will be held privately.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 pm on Thursday.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mahaska Hospice.
