Alvin Clinton Kilgore

Elder Alvin Clinton Kilgore 

March 23, 1959 – September 25, 2025

Elder Alvin Clinton Kilgore, 66, of Muskegon, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 25, 2025.

Alvin was born on March 23, 1959, to the late Garland and Jannie Kilgore. He graduated from Muskegon Heights High School, Class of 1977, and honorably served his country in the United States Army and the National Guard for combined 26 years. He worked as an electrician. A dedicated student and counselor, he earned his master’s degree with honors in Psychology and Counseling from Cornerstone University.

Alvin married the love of his life, Regina Gordon, on April 27, 1996. Together, they shared four children: Caleb, Kayla, Kaitlyn, and Samanthis.

A faithful servant and pillar in his community, Elder Kilgore was a devoted member of Christ Temple Apostolic Church. There, he served in many capacities including licensed minister, Chairman of the Veterans Symposium Committee, member of the Disability Committee, Chairperson of Young Men with a Purpose, and a member of both the Deacon and Trustee Boards. He was also a dedicated Sunday school teacher.

Beyond his church involvement, Alvin’s heart was especially drawn to working with veterans. He served as a Veterans Resource Officer with A.N.C.A.M. (Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force and Marines) Veterans Resources which is a Muskegon Heights-based veterans organization led by Director Tanya L. Richison, retired USCG. He helped connect veterans with their earned benefits and played a key role in organizing one of the largest Veterans Resource & Disabilities Fairs in Muskegon Heights. Alvin served on the board at the outreach ministry, Love-n-Grace and a member of the IBEW Electrical Union.

Alvin and his beloved wife, Regina, cherished spending quality time together in their special sanctuary — their sitting area. It was there they shared countless conversations, laughter, disagreements and quiet moments that reflected the love and bond they built over the years. He had a deep love for gardening, traveling, walking, sports and spending time with his grandchildren and his father-in-law, Assistant Pastor Arthur Gordon.

Above all, Alvin was a devoted family man. He was known for his warmth, discipline, dependability, and his deep care for people. A true people person, he brought joy and strength to those around him and will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege to know him.

He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Regina Kilgore; his children, Samanthis Burse, Caleb (Elizabeth) Gordon-Kilgore, Kayla Kilgore, and Kaitlyn Kilgore; his grandchildren, Darecio Shields, Delia Shields, Ronin Gordon-Kilgore, and Darien Burse; and his godson, Bentliegh Cunningham. He is also survived by his brothers, Rufus (Laverne) Kilgore, Robert Sykes, and Craig Kilgore; his sisters, Betty Lacey and Barbara (Egbert) Chambers; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and brothers- and sisters-in-laws. God Parents Leodis and Judy Turner. He also leaves behind a host of special childhood friends and his mentor, a special brother in Christ, Larry Allen.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Garland Clinton Kilgore and Jannie Samanthis Kilgore; his brother, Hunter Sykes; his sister, Georgetta Sykes; and his brother-in-law, Melvin Lacey.

A Homegoing Celebration will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. at Christ Temple Apostolic Church, 412 E. Sherman Blvd., Muskegon Heights, Michigan, with Bishop Avery D. Burrel officiating. Military Honors will be carried out by Muskegon County Counsel and the US Army. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will follow at Sunrise Memorial Gardens.

Elder Alvin Clinton Kilgore ran his race with faith and honor. He made his calling and election sure, and now rests in the arms of the Lord he served so faithfully.