January 24, 1948 – July 5, 2024

Services for John Van Kinder will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 27, 2024 in the Chapel of Hixson Brothers, Alexandria with Pastor Brad Webb officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Ball.

The family requests that visitation be observed at the funeral home Friday, July 26, 2024 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. and continued Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until time of service.

Mr. Kinder, 76, of Alexandria passed away Friday, July 5, 2024 at Cornerstone Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas.

John was born January 24, 1948 to M.V. Kinder Jr. and Melvine Pickett Kinder in Alexandria. He was a graduate of Bolton High School and went on to attend Louisiana Polytechnical College in Ruston where he met and married the love of his life and then returned home to Alexandria to reside and raise his family. He did one tour overseas during Vietnam with the Navy and returned home to start his life-long career at the family business, Kinder Paint Company.

During his life, he enjoyed collecting cars, bowling, gardening, and cheering on the kids, grandkids, and great-grand at countless events. He lived to help others and was a hopeless workaholic, it brought him joy to help others.

He was preceded in death by his parents, M.V. and Melvine Pickett Kinder.

Those left to cherish his memory include his beloved wife of 55 years, Gayle Simpson Kinder of Alexandria; sons, Stephen Craig Kinder and wife Rebecca of Alexandria; James Martin Kinder and wife Jennifer of Portland, Oregon; daughter, Kimberly Kinder Tanner and husband Jason of Maumelle, Arkansas; brother, R. Bruce Kinder and wife Carol of Alexandria; sister, Barbara Kinder Bankson and husband Bobby of Friendswood, Texas; eleven grandchildren; one great grandchild, and numerous other family and friends.