Valton Andrew "Andy" Kuykendall

Beloved, Valton Andrew "Andy" Kuykendall, born May 6, 1965, passed away at age 60 on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at UCSF Medical Center. Born in Visalia, CA, he grew up in Turlock, CA, and found a forever home in Hilmar, CA. He said he never wanted to move from there-a place where he truly loved his home and neighbors.

In his younger years, Andy spent hours working on his model train set. He enjoyed countless adventures at the farms and ranches of his aunts, uncles, and grandparents. In his teens, he enjoyed muscle cars and doing auto body repair, and spent several years traveling across the country playing in the Valley Fever Drum & Bugle Corps. He was a lifelong Raiders fan.

Andy's greatest source of pride was serving our country in the U.S. Army from March 29, 1990, to March 28, 1993. During his years in the military, he received the following medals and military honors:

Army Achievement Medal – Awarded for outstanding performance and service
Good Conduct Medal – Recognizes honorable, disciplined service with no misconduct
National Defense Service Medal – Given for serving during a time of national conflict
Army Service Ribbon – Earned upon completion of Army training and readiness for duty
Overseas Service Ribbon – Awarded for serving on assignment outside the United States
Marksman Badge (Rifle) – Shows he qualified as a skilled and accurate rifleman
German Armed Forces Marksmanship Award (Silver) – A respected foreign military award, earned by passing the German Army's live-fire shooting standards. Not commonly earned by U.S. soldiers
Army Lapel Button – Worn to show honorable completion of military service
Southwest Asia Service Medal w/ 2 Bronze Service Stars – Awarded for serving in the Gulf War, with two service stars representing participation in two major campaigns of the conflict
Kuwait Liberation Medal – Awarded by the nation of Kuwait to those who helped liberate their country during the Gulf War

Most importantly, he was a good husband and father who believed in God and is now in heaven, our ultimate goal. His family is extremely proud of him. His call to duty extended past his service in the military and into the service of his family. His love, commitment and dedication cannot be replaced.

He is survived by his loving wife, Deborah Lynn Kuykendall, his children Steven M. Turner (daughter-in-law Ashley D. Turner), Sean R. Taylor-Turner (daughter-in-law Cheryl M. Taylor-Turner), Samantha L. Lara (son-in-law Sergio Lara), and Troy Kuykendall, along with his grandchildren Daniel Macalaguing, McKenna Turner, Camden Turner, and Aurora Kuykendall; his brother Michael Kuykendall; and his sister Heidi Savage (brother-in-law Chris Savage).

He was preceded in death by his father Valton Lee Kuykendall, his mother Lynda Louise Kuykendall, as well as his grandson Maverick James Turner.

We are awaited in heaven with their love.

A memorial service will be held at Encounter Church; 19840 Dayton Ave, Hilmar, CA 95324, Friday, November 7, 2025 at 10:30 am.