Kevin James Lupien

Kevin James Lupien, 47, from Tucson, Arizona, unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack on the morning of August 10, 2025, just days after being diagnosed with coronary issues.
Kevin was born on January 30, 1978, in Tucson and grew up loving camping, fishing, swimming, water sports, and boating with family and friends. He enjoyed video games and his pet Ferrets Bud and Bud Lite were his roomies. He played baseball, soccer and dabbled in music playing the trumpet in the Emily Gray Jr. High Band. He went on to graduate from Sabino High School where he played football for the Sabercats.
Kevin's pride and joy 1979 "Bandit" TransAm won him numerous awards at car shows he attended with his Dad. He also loved riding his motorcycle, but a freak accident in 2007 resulted in a Traumatic Brain Injury that changed the trajectory of his life and put him on a path to recovery that could only be accomplished by faith and his resolve to become the best he could be given the situation he faced.
Six weeks after his accident, Kevin's son Adrian was born and that precious little boy brought abundant love and joy to his life and new purpose. Although he was never able to run and play football with his son, he cheered Adrian on as he played football for the Benson High School Bobcats. Kevin was an avid sports fan and football was at the very top. He never wavered from being a San Francisco 49ers fan, a team he adopted many years ago because of his admiration for Steve Young, a fellow "leftie."
Kevin held various jobs starting at age 15. He primarily worked in restaurants and achieved the position of Sous-Chef at Ventana Canyon Golf Club. Although he enjoyed cooking, he once stated his favorite job was laying tile. His work ethic conveyed dependability, loyalty and hard work no matter the job. Prior to his accident, he attended and graduated from Pima Medical Institute and passed the pharmacy exam to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician, a career path that ended before it started. As much as he wanted to return to the workforce after his accident, that wasn't to be so his recovery became his job. His daily workouts on an elliptical plus trips to a nearby baseball field to walk on the grass, with his Dad coaching him on, got him up and moving so he eventually improved his balance. He defied the rehab doctor and accomplished what "couldn't be done." However, a second TBI in 2015 from falling down a flight of stairs caused short-term memory loss and mobility regression.
Kevin was friendly and well-liked by everyone who knew and met him. He was very social when in familiar surroundings and his quick wit always elicited a few chuckles. Desiring greater independence and social interaction, he transitioned from living with his parents for 12 years to assisted living at Catalina Village in Tucson. He loved having his own apartment, decorated his way with his things, but changes there forced a move and he chose Immanuel Campus of Care in Peoria. Although more distant from family and friends, it was the best placement given its similarity to Catalina Village. The family would like to thank the staff at both care facilities for helping Kevin with everything from unexpected falls, fixing his TV and weight machine, to just popping in to say "Hi." He considered all of you friends. A special thanks to Nursing Director Kayla Stumbo, R.N. who Kevin dubbed "Doctor Lady." Thank you for considering him "one of your boys" and helping him out with his shirt buttons so he was dressed properly for dinner in the dining room. Little things like that were important to him.
Those left to remember Kevin include his beloved son Adrian and Adrian's mother Laura Baeuerlen, loving parents James and Janice Lupien, sister Kristin Hall, brother-in-law Jarett Hall, nephew Mason Hall, and many aunts, uncles and cousins..A Celebration of Kevin's Life will be held in the next couple months at a date and location to be determined. His smile and special laugh will be missed, but never forgotten. As our pain eases, those memories of Kevin will put smiles on our faces as we remember him and thank God that he didn't take Kevin in 2007 or 2015, but chose to give him another 18 years to show the world what can be accomplished with faith in a loving God and the determination to carry on with a smile no matter the circumstances. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Kevin James Lupien, please visit our Tree Store.