July 05, 1946 - December 08, 2023
Rev. Kerry Kirking Obituary Kerry Clifton Kirking passed away on December 8, 2023, in the company of family, both in person and in spirit. He was born to Evelyn Kirking (nee Taber) and Hilbert C. Kirking on July 5, 1946, in Coeur d�Alene, Idaho. He was followed in 3-year intervals by his brother, Clayton, and then his sister, Karen. Kerry fondly recounted growing up on their family farm in Dalton Gardens amid animals of all kinds and working alongside his father, grandfather, and uncles on the farm and in the local creamery. After Hilbert�s sudden death in 1961, Kerry supported his mother in moving forward as a family of four with invaluable support from grandparents, extended family, and close family friends - especially Hilbert�s brothers Orville, Kenneth, and Marvin Kirking. Evelyn lived as an example of courage, kindness, and persistence as she ran two successful businesses out of their home. Their lives were a testament to the importance of family, generosity, and hope. Kerry�s life was drastically altered by the early loss of his father, but he was also blessed to walk alongside his mother in this life until he was 72 years old. He lived into her example daily, providing comfort, support, and hope for his family until his very last. As a young man, Kerry picked up hobbies that helped him feel an ongoing connection with his father� including learning to play the bagpipes and studying local Native American culture and artwork. After graduating from Coeur d�Alene High School in 1964, Kerry attended Pacific Lutheran University. During his years at PLU, Kerry� made life-long friends becoming part of a one-of-a-kind group of (mostly) good-trouble makers known as the �Norwegian Mafia.� He also gained mentors who helped mold his future while framing his past and amidst the political turmoil of the times, these friends and mentors kept him grounded as his worldview shifted. As he made sense of the senselessness, including the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy as well as the early loss of his father, Kerry felt called by something larger. At the urging of his most trusted mentor, Walter Schnackenberg, he applied to and was accepted by Yale Divinity School (YDS) and a few short months after the Civil Rights Act of 1968 was signed into law, Kerry headed across the country to start down the road towards becoming a Lutheran pastor. While at YDS, Kerry became a member of the Bridgeport Pipe Band in Connecticut and formed extremely close bonds that remained strong for the rest of his life. Though he excelled in divinity school, even winning a coveted preaching award of which he was justly proud, he was equally impacted by his work with serving others in the community and, not yet ready to make a commitment to the clergy, returned home upon graduation and began working as a Head Start teacher in Kellogg, Idaho. For multiple reasons, he made the transition from his home state of Idaho to Spokane and began working as a social worker. It was here that he was introduced to another social worker, Judy Krell� the love of his life � and they were married in July 1975. They loved and supported each other in marriage for 48 years. Kerry went on to become a parole officer and, later, a financial planner. Kerry rejoiced in being a father to daughters Katie (1977) and Annie (1982). Kerry also continued to play the bagpipes, serving for a time as Pipe Major of Spokane�s Angus Scott Pipe Band, and along with Judy, forming beautiful, lifelong bonds and friendships amidst Spokane�s Scottish community. During this time, Kerry and Judy also found community at St. John�s Cathedral in Spokane. Over 40 years later, they have never truly left that church home. As they walked through life as a family of four, Kerry became increasingly involved in the Church. Few there knew he had graduated from Divinity School, but as his girls grew older, Kerry began to feel pulled toward ordination and in 1994 was ordained an Episcopal Deacon. He loved the Deaconate and those with whom he served and was especially proud of his service as the Deacon in Charge of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Spokane, where his love for all things Anglo-Catholic grew and deepened. In 2000, Kerry was ordained an Episcopal Priest. Though throughout his life he would serve in many capacities, his role as a Priest was among the most important, second only to being a devoted father, husband, son, and brother. With their girls grown and eventually both settling in Seattle, Kerry and Judy opted to spend part of their retirement alongside them in Seattle. They loved their time living on Shilshole Bay, particularly when the area�s orcas would make an appearance. All too quickly, though, Kerry and Judy both were facing significant health challenges that altered the landscape of their needs. The loss of Kerry�s mother Evelyn at 98, shortly followed by the birth of their granddaughter, Evie, in 2019 and the ensuing onslaught of COVID led to the decision to move home to Spokane along with Katie and Annie in 2021. The years that followed would be hard, but the time precious and spent together. The family home was set up with Kerry and Judy side by side at its center, their girls and beloved granddaughter around them every day. While Kerry treasured first his role as Judy�s husband, being grandfather to little Evie made him light up. From making mischief together in the middle of the night to having thoughtful conversations or just spending time together, it was a uniquely special relationship that brightened the final years of his life and will be a cornerstone of hers moving forward. Kerry�s spent his final years devotedly tending to his wife, Judy, continuing to provide steady and needed support for his daughters, and being a lived example of seeking out hope amidst the most unlikely barrage of challenges. Kerry was preceded in death by his father, Hilbert, mother, Evelyn, grandparents, multiple aunts, uncles, and cousins, and his niece, Heather. He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 48 years Judy (Krell) Kirking, his daughters, Katie Kirking and Annie Kirking, his granddaughter Evie Kirking, and his beloved dog and grand kitties, all of Spokane. He is additionally survived by his brother Clayton Kirking (Edward Sullivan) of New York, sister Karen Kirking O�Malley of Spokane, and nephews Sean O�Malley (Tessa), Aaron O'Malley (April), Brian Krell, and Adam Krell. A funeral service will be held at St. John�s Episcopal Cathedral, Spokane, WA on January 6, 2024, at 1 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to votefwd.org/ or to the memorial fund set up to support his family in caring for his beloved wife along with maintaining and restoring their shared home (https://everloved.com/life-of/kerry-kirking/). � To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Rev. Kerry, please visit our Tree Stor
Commentaires