Kirk Kinne

Nov. 17, 1942 - Mar. 20, 2015

With sad and heavy hearts, we announce the passing our beloved Kirk Kinne on March 20, 2015. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend and educator. His legacy of abundant love, kindness, loyalty and sense of humor has inspired and will continue to inspire those who had the pleasure and honor of knowing him. Kirk, a proud Nevadan, was born on November 17, 1942 to Al and Ruth Kinne in Ely, Nevada. He spent his early years in Elko, a place which always held a special place in his heart as his Nevada roots originated in Elko from the late 1800s. In 1947, his father Al transferred to Carson City to work for the Nevada Highway Department, and thus began Kirk’s deep and abiding love for Carson City, Nevada. During his childhood, he developed enduring and steadfast friendships that continued throughout his life, which sustained him and his family in his final days. He graduated from Carson High School in 1961 where he distinguished himself as an outstanding basketball player. He received accolades as a leading scorer in northern Nevada with his highly accurate left-handed jump shot. He attended the University of Nevada from 1962-1967 where he was a proud member and president of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He continued to forge his deep connections and friendships with people and became a respected leader on the campus. During those golden years at the university, he met the love of his life and married Mary Kay Gezelin in 1966 and returned to Carson City where he became an admired educator and coach at Carson High School. He then became assistant principal at Fritsch Elementary School in 1978. In 1983, he was named principal of Grace Bordewich-Bray Elementary School. This era lasted 18 years and was among the most proud years of his life. As principal he manifested his greatest works of love and influence and - using his sense of humor - inspired not only those who worked for and with him, but also each student who walked through the door. He was known among his colleagues as an excellent leader who was able to bring an atmosphere of kindness, empowerment and positive change to the lives he touched. As principal, he adopted the slogan, “Everybody is somebody at Bordewich-Bray”. These words not only inspired his leadership at school, but became a testimony to his abiding acceptance for everyone he met. After his retirement in 2002, he spent countless hours organizing events and gatherings to honor people and causes close to his heart. Nothing brought him greater joy than to reminisce and interact with his many circles of friends where his uncanny ability to remember names, faces and events never failed to amaze those around him. In addition to a life abundant with friends and family, Kirk was also a loyal and unconditional fan of University of Nevada athletics, the San Francisco 49ers and Giants. Later in life, he became an ardent soccer fan by attending his granddaughters’ soccer games and tennis matches. Nothing was a deeper source of pride to him than his family. He adored his three children, especially his eight grandchildren. They will remember him fondly for cooking chorizos for breakfast, taking them to the Nevada Day parade, and listening to Elvis and Whitney Houston in his truck. Kirk was preceded in death by his father Al in 1969, his mother Ruth in 1979, and his brother Bob in 1999. He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Mary Kay; his daughter Anne-Marie (Charlie) Hoppe; his sons Paul (Kristine), and Pete (Carli) Kinne; and his grandchildren, Mimi, Kathleen, Mollie, Lexi, Leah, Will, Claire and Kal. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, March 28 at 1 pm in Carson City at St. Teresa of Avila, 3000 N. Lompa Way. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the Kirk Kinne Memorial Library Fund at Bordewich-Bray Elementary School, 110 S. Thompson St. Carson City, NV 89703. The family invites friends of Kirk to sign the online guestbook at www.waltonsfuneralhomes.com.