Alden Jesse Kinnee

Alden J. "Al" Kinnee entered into Glory in the presence of his Lord on the morning of Monday, March 18th, 2013. Al was born December 6, 1925 to Aaron and Verna Kinnee in Everett, Washington, and lived with his family in Lake Stevens, Washington until his schooling was completed. He was one of seven brothers and three sisters. In 1943 during World War ll, Al joined the Merchant Marines and served through 1946, sometimes joining his brothers in shipboard service. He then moved to Lebanon, Oregon until 1951, when he joined the Army on May 8 and served in the Korean Conflict until his honorable discharge on April 29th, 1953. During his service, Al received several letters of commendation for his positive influence on ship morale, and he continued to boost the morale of those around him throughout the rest of his life. After the Army, Al entered the Neon Sign trade with Martin Brothers Signs in Salem, Oregon. His eye for redheads and his love of the steel guitar brought Evelyn Martin, a wonderful redheaded steel guitarist, to his immediate attention at the Cottonwoods Inn Ballroom in 1953. They were married March 11, 1955. Daughter Kathryn was born in 1956 and son Jay in 1959. Al was a longtime member of Salem Alliance Church, and was deeply committed to serving his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He devoted a great deal of energy to serving others through various ministries, including Salem Alliances men's fellowship, hospital visitation, prison ministry with the Prison Fellowship organization, and especially youth mentoring, which had a special place in his heart. Al never failed to share his love for Christ with others who did not yet know his Lord. His life of exemplary service to others brought him the Salem Leadership Foundation's 2005 Leadership Award. Al was famous for his jokes. Whether it was opening his Sunday School class each week, or having coffee with friends, or even regaling his doctors (sometimes while under anesthesia), Al was never without a hilarious story. Al also loved gardening, and he took great pride every year in his beautiful peach tree. He was an avid golfer as well, and a formidable tennis player even into his late eighties until his health began to fail only a few months ago. Al is survived by Evelyn, his wife of 58 years, brother Wayne Kinnee and his wife Barbara of Eugene, brother Doug Kinnee and his wife Faye of Arizona, daughter Kathryn (Kinnee) Ferrier and her husband Steve of Corvallis, son Jay Kinnee and his wife Lisa of Salem, his dearly loved grandchildren Becky, Ian and Joel Ferrier, and many beloved nieces and nephews. Al's mentee Elijah Boswell has been a dear pal since Elijah's grade school years. Al was preceded in death by brothers Dean, LaVerne, Bob and Jack, and sisters Leta, Thelma and Elma. Services will be held Thursday March 28th at 10:30AM at Salem Alliance Church, 555 Gaines St. NE in Salem. In lieu of flowers and in accordance with Al's ministry interests, the family requests that contributions be made to Salem Leadership Foundation for their Youth Mentoring Program.