"Linda I have known you for years and my heart is broken for you. My sister knew Kevin from high school and said that he was \"always so kind to evryone.\""
In loving memory of
Kevin Jeffry Greethurst
July 2, 1971 - September 10, 2022
Kevin Jeffry Greethurst
Kevin Greethurst, age 51, died Saturday, September 10, 2022 of brain cancer at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa. A memorial service will be on September 21, 7:30pm at Walker Johnston Park Shelter House in Urbandale, Ia. Memorial displays will be available to view from 7:00pm-8:30pm.
Burial will be at a later date in Chapel Hill Gardens Cemetery on Merle Hay Rd, Des Moines.
Kevin was born to Kenneth & Linda Greethurst July 2, 1971 in Winona Minnesota, and was an only child. Growing up, Kevin lived in many states finally settling in Urbandale Iowa in 4th grade and graduating with the Urbandale Class of 1989.
Kevin married Michelle S. May, July 12, 1997 and had 3 children, Garrett, Kilee and Allison. They spent many of their first years living in the south side of Des Moines and the last years in Urbandale Iowa. Kevin and Michelle had just celebrated 25 years of marriage.
Kevin had battled brain cancer for the past 11 years, yet continued to work through 10 of those. He had maintained continuous employment since the young age of 11, when he got his first job as a paper boy. In 1995, Kevin worked for CIC Plan which is where he met Michelle, and they later were both were hired at The Associates Credit Center where they worked for several years. Kevin then worked for Ruan Transportation and finally onto his last employer the State of Iowa, for approximately 23 years, in various roles. He spent time as a Corrections Officer, a Department of Defense Officer, and as a Criminal Fraud Investigator with the states Medicaid Fraud Unit.
Kevin believed in a life of service. He obtained his Eagle Scout, and he served well over 23 years volunteering his time. He served as an EMT/Firefighter for Northern Warren/Bloomfield Township Fire Department for 8 years, Camp Dodge Fire for 3 years, Urbandale Fire for 1 year, and a Urbandale Police Reserve Officer for 11 years.
Kevin enjoyed time with his family, especially watching his children play sports and attending their school concerts as they grew up. Kevin also enjoyed traveling. He visited Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica and Dominican Republic, and close to all 50 states. Kevin would tell you his favorite place to be was in Jamaica with his family. He also enjoyed the outdoors especially camping and water sports. Kevin and Michelle were certified scuba divers and had logged many dives together.
Kevin is survived by his father and mother, his wife, two daughters, and a son, aunts and several cousins.
If you wish to do something in Kevin's honor, please find a local organization that needs help, and volunteer your time.
Tributes
"Linda, I only know you through Iowa Genealogical Society, but as the mother of an only child, my heart breaks for you and your family. As Kevin\'s boat leaves this shore and gets smaller and smaller on the horizon, we might say, \"There he goes\". But as he arrives on the horizon of the other shore, his family there exclaims, \" Here he comes!\" Keep the faith that this is not a forever goodby, just temporary. May the memories and love of family and friends give you all peace and comfort."
"Linda, although I only know you because of Iowa Genealogical Society, as a mother of an only child, my heart is breaking for you and your family. As Kevin\'s boat leaves us and gets smaller and smaller on the horizon, we might say, \"There he goes\". But his family is waiting for him on the other side exclaiming, \"Here he comes!\". Keep the faith that this is not goodby, but only temporary. May the love of family and friends sustain and comfort you all."
"Kevin was a good man instilled with a desire to serve. No doubt shaped by his accomplishments of an Eagle Scout. U.P.D. And the community were recipients of that desire to serve. You brought honor to law enforcement in your willingness to serve as a police reserve. I am proud to have known you, Kevin. Rest well in the love of Jesus until we meet again. Chief Ross McCarty, Retired."
"I remember our sophomore year, For some reason we had a two hour window for lunch. I really didn?t have any place to go. Kevin invited me to his house, we listened to Genesis new invisible touch album which was 1986. And had a bologna sandwich. It?s a day that he probably never thought of again. It?s a day that I think of you often for some reason. Every time I hear a song off of that album. And maybe it?s because it was a random act of kindness that I think we could use a lot more of. And I suppose that?s why it stands out. Just wanted to say thanks for lunch."