David Kinkela, 75

David Anthony Kinkela, beloved husband of Pam Kinkela, passed away July 23, 2024, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. He was a resident of Cave Bay on the shores of Lake Coeur d'Alene.

Dave was born Sept. 19, 1948 in Windber, Pa., to Anthony and Cecelia Kinkela and spent his childhood in a small coal mining town aptly named Mine 40. The family moved to Tacoma in 1963, where Dave attended Mount Tahoma High School.

After graduating from high school, Dave attended the University of Puget Sound, where he earned his Bachelor's degree. He later earned a Master's degree in Educational Technology and Administration from Gonzaga University and Educational Administration credentials from Central Washington University.

For 25 years Dave taught social studies, technology, graphic design and physical education at Gov. John R. Rogers High School in Puyallup, Wash., and coached football, track and wrestling. He left the classroom to become an administrator in the Bethel School District, first as an assistant principal at Cedarcrest Junior High and then as the district's athletic director.

Following retirement from education, Dave fulfilled a lifelong dream of "hitting the road" and drove long haul for Sherman Brothers Trucking. He then served as athletic director at Washington High School in Parkland.

Dave and Pam moved to Cave Bay in 2004, where Dave was active in the community and enjoyed long days on his boat. When he learned the local school district had difficulty finding bus drivers to transport its athletic teams to games, he stepped in to help as needed. Over time, he also filled in as a substitute teacher and administrator, district technology assistant and district athletic director for two years.

Dave enjoyed a full life surrounded by loving family and friends; his greatest joys were his children and grandchildren. Dave was a lifelong learner and avid reader. He loved to travel, and over the course of his life, he traveled to 48 states and several countries. With his wife, Pam, Dave made countless road trips, including two cross-country treks and extended tours of every corner of the country.

From an early age, athletics, especially football, played an important role in his life. At Mount Tahoma, Dave captained the football team and earned All-City, All-League, All-State and Prep All American honors, and was the team inspirational award winner. Dave also earned letters in basketball and track and at the end of his senior year was named the school's Sportsman of the Year.

Dave continued to earn accolades at the University of Puget Sound where he was named first-team All-Conference, All-Northwest and Associated Press Little All-American and was co-captain of both the football and track teams.

Dave coached football at Rogers High for 25 years, first as an assistant and later as head coach. He was inducted into the Tacoma-Pierce County Athletic Hall of Fame and the Mount Tahoma High School Alumni Hall of Fame. A long-time season ticket holder for both the Seattle Seahawks and WSU Cougars, Dave enjoyed following the Cougars to far-ranging games, including Notre Dame, Auburn, Rutgers, all of the Pac 12 schools, and more.

Dave is lovingly remembered by Pam, his wife of 46 years, and his children, Stacey (Jason) Noble of Auburn, Wash., Tony (Merilee) Kinkela of Eagle, Idaho, and Katlin (Michael) Elford of Tacoma, as well as his grandchildren, Cooper Noble, Jonathan Noble, Koen Kinkela, Kenley Kinkela and Mason Elford. He is survived by his mother, Cecelia Kinkela, brother Daniel (Susan) Kinkela and sisters Diane Heaton and Debbie Kinkela (Arin Strom). He was preceded in death by his father, Anthony, and sister Donna Kinkela Stenger.

Over the past six years, Dave showed amazing courage, grace and joy as he faced the challenges of a rare medical condition. His family thanks dear friends for their kindness, and appreciate the many messages of comfort and remembrance.

A celebration of Dave's life will be held Saturday, Sept. 28, at 1 p.m. at the Roy H. Murphy Community Center in Fircrest, Wash.

    Kinkela