Donald Kinch

DONALD KINCH

Cedar Rapids

Donald Walter Kinch, 71, of Cedar Rapids, died Friday, Oct. 10, 2014, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City. Services: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids, officiated by David Bennett. Family will greet friends Tuesday, Oct. 14, from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial: Czech National Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

Survivors include his wife, Patricia Kinch of Cedar Rapids; sons, Scott (Sandi) and Shawn (Sabrina); seven grandchildren, Ashton, Jenna, Nicholas, Morgan, Logan, Paige Kinch and Tyler Heefner; sister, Susan Saari; many nephews; one niece; and best friend, Buddy, his black lab.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved horse, Juba.

Don was born at St. Luke's Hospital on Nov. 12, 1942, son of Don and Augusta (Dvorak) Kinch. He attended Cedar Rapids Schools and graduated from Washington High School in 1960. Don joined the United States Army in 1961 and became a member of the 82nd Airborne Division as a parachute rigger, which was his pride and joy for the rest of his life. After his discharge he returned to Cedar Rapids and began work at Iowa Manufacturing in 1964. He was proud of his work and traveled the world as a service technician. Don retired in 2007 after 43 years of service. Don was united in marriage to Patricia Dawson on Oct. 12, 1968, in Cedar Rapids. They were married for 45 years and 362 days. From this union came two wonderful sons.

Don was a member of Kingston 676 Blue Lodge, a 32nd degree Mason and was with the El Kahir Shrine Arabian Horse Patrol. Don also was an Elks Club member and a member of the Fairfax American Legion Post 572.

Please share a memory of Don at www.murdoch funeralhome.com under obituaries.