Kevin Kyle

KEVIN KYLE

Cedar Rapids

Kevin Thomas Kyle, beloved father, stepfather, brother and husband, passed away peacefully in his home in the presence of his family on Saturday, June 28, 2014, of melanoma. We invite you to attend his Celebration of Life held in his honor from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 3, at Legacy Center, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home, 520 Wilson Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Kevin was born April 28, 1958, to Harriet "Tootsie" and Millard "Jack" Kyle. The son of a creative, southern beauty and an artistic, inventive engineer with a lively sense of humor, Kevin's artistic, sensitive, adventuresome spirit came naturally.

A trained sculptor with a fine art degree from MTSU, Kevin realized a lifelong dream of creating massive sculptures which would be seen by millions worldwide on various live television specials for Univision's global cable television network. His ability to create complex, true-to-life forms in a very short time frame made him a favored vendor for difficult projects. From 8-foot-tall Grecian statues to massive underwater coral, faces and other props, his knowledge of sculpture, camera angles and natural artistic vision earned some of the toughest projects. His easy smile, southern grace and exceptional integrity made him simply likeable by all.

Locally Kevin was best known as the owner of Kyle's Custom Cabinets and Tish&Kyle. His skilled design and beautiful cabinetry were frequently commissioned by Phelan's Interiors, Zins Restaurant, The Early Bird Cafe, The Piano Lounge, The Longbranch, The Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, Cooper's Mill, Studio13 and many others. Clients in Atlanta included a game room for Evander Holyfield, reception desk at the Ritz Carlton and a custom kitchen for a former Revlon model. Kevin's unique combination of organic shapes, sculpture, carvings and craftsmanship captivated many with discriminating taste. He, like his customers, had a love of fine things. It was his mission to share the love of enduring finery with others.

Kevin's incredible intelligence, engineering and problem solving abilities led to the development of a patent pending moveable wall system for museums. Clients included the Stax Museum in Memphis, a Michael Jackson exhibit in Gary, Ind., our own Czech & Slovak Museum & Library and many others. His temporary wall systems solved an important, previously unmet need for museums and galleries.

Kevin's work, while a noble pursuit, was second to his most dedicated job as a loving father to his five children. He worked long hours as a video editor at Video Tape Associates in Atlanta, Ga., to support his kids as a single father. Unable to afford daycare for so many children, he started his own business to have the kids with him during the day. He was a dad who fiercely loved his children. He reared his children to be creative, intelligent, independent, hard-working and to go after their dreams. Later, as a stepdad to five more kids, he was both father and friend to 10 children. He had extended his love, gentile ways, laughter and expertise to his own children, as well as newer members of the family who loved him and benefitted from his fatherly care.

Those who know Kevin know he was an outspoken Democrat, carrying on the tradition of his father. He spoke fluent German, and lived in Germany for over a year. He had an easy laugh and enjoyed beer, singing and striking up conversations with anyone. Sometimes jokingly cantankerous, he was a highly creative, a highly endearing, trustworthy and gentle person. Kevin had a high respect for all human beings. He was a man of his word in all walks of life.

Kevin was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Tootsie Kyle.

He is survived by his wife, Kathlene Quinn Kyle; his sisters, Jacke Kyle Hurley, Rice Mosely and Dawn Davis (Park); his children, Kara Kyle (Jordan Mohr), Kristin Kyle, Kory Kyle, Jesse Kyle and Christopher Kyle; his stepchildren, Brad Muehlemann, Amy Doyle (Jon Doyle), Amanda Muehlemann (Kelly Bean), Stephanie Muehlemann (Alex Karr) and Hannah Brown; as well as a huge group of friends, neighbors, associates and clients.

We will all greatly miss his laughter, humor, creativity, intelligence, depth and pure spirit.

The family wishes to thank everyone for the generous support which helped Kevin during his fight against melanoma. Kevin was blessed daily by seeing the beauty and generosity of the human spirit of countless people – many of whom we have never met face to face.

Please sign the online guest book for Kevin at

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