By Lorry Myers
He was a hometown boy who could have gone anywhere and done anything. Instead, he chose to make this small town his hometown for life. Mike Kinkead was classmates with my youngest brother, a scrappy boy who participated and showed up and wore his hair long over his collar.
I liked that about him.
When Mike finished school and brought home his bride, he became a permanent part of our hometown pharmacy.
He became my friend.
Not only my friend, but a friend to our community. Mike and Wendy raised their four boys in the same town where Mike was raised. They involved themselves in booster clubs and summer leagues and ball tournaments. Together, they are respected in their church, raising a generation to learn and love their faith. They belonged, they gave back, they joined.
This is their town.
Mike was a remarkable visionary who expanded the family pharmacy business and hired helpful employees who he listened to and cared about. Gifts, and toys and an old-fashioned ice cream parlor were welcome additions to the pharmacy.
Just what our small town needed.
For over twenty years, Mike served as our Park Board President. He led our parks through serious overhauls and overdue updates. Passing a park tax, purchasing a rental hall, and a public golf course…all this happened under Mike’s leadership.
We are all better for it.
For the complete column, see this week’s edition of the Centralia Fireside Guard
