Kim Miller Kanakis

Kim Miller Kanakis, 66, of El Dorado and North Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on December 30 in El Dorado, Arkansas. He was born in Gulfport, Mississippi on April 1, 1957. Kim was a beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle and friend.

Kim had a contagious laugh and was always telling stories and jokes, bringing joy to those around him. He had a passion for guns and was a master gunsmith. He also enjoyed working on cars, using his skills to bring life to old vehicles. The majority of his career was in the Information Technology and Telecommunications industries including employment with Southwestern Bell Telephone, ALLTEL Corporate and its subsidiaries and Murphy USA.

Kim is survived by his loving spouse of 19 years, Pamela Douglass Kanakis, and his blended family - children Brittany Rae Kanakis (Lindsey), Morgan Jean Kanakis Allen (AJ), Amanda Orr Whittaker (Jon), and Lauren Orr Dennis (Josh). He was a proud grandfather to Eva and Kellan Whittaker, Sawyer, Gage, Ruby, Hazel and Tilly Dennis. Kim is also survived by his sister, Caroline Burton, numerous cousins, a niece Michele Elmore and his special uncle Fred Miller.

He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Elbert Kanakis, his mother, Dorothy Jean Miller Kanakis and brother Thomas Joseph Kanakis.

Kim spent his early years in Monmouth and Decatur, IL and many years in North Little Rock. He later went on to attend Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, Georgia, and Hollywood, Florida for middle school and high school.  He later lived in Kansas City, Denver, Slidell, and Dallas.

Kim was a believer of the Christian faith, finding solace and strength in his spirituality.

Visitation will be Saturday, February 10 at 1:00pm and a Celebration of Life Service will be held immediately following at 2:00pm at Smith Family Funeral Home in North Little Rock. A private burial service will be held at Mount Holly Cemetery in Little Rock.  He will also have a ceremony at Riverside Military Academy at a later date.

A special thanks to CARTI Cancer Research Center and to Gentiva Hospice for his care.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Kim's memory to Jacksonville Animal Service, 217 South Redmond Road, Jacksonville, AR 72076 (https://checkout.shelterluv.com/donate/JASH), Union County Animal Protection Society (UCAPS) in El Dorado, Arkansas, PO Box 204, El Dorado, AR  71730  (www.ucapsshelter.org/donate) or CARTI Foundation, PO Box 55011, Little Rock, AR 72215. 

Kim will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. May he rest in peace.