Robert Charles Kinnard Jr.

1959 - 2025

Robert Charles Kinnard Jr. was born on July 29, 1959, in Independence, Kansas, to Martha Lee Nevins and Robert Kinnard Sr. He entered eternal rest peacefully on Monday, May 19, 2025.
Robert met the love of his life, Caroline, in Independence, Kansas. They were united in marriage on March 31, 1984, in Fairbanks, Alaska, and together raised four children: Dewayne, Justin, Elizabeth, and Robert.
A 1978 Austin E. Lathrop High School graduate, Robert also attended Independence Community Junior College and earned his radio broadcasting certification from the Columbia School of Broadcasting. Upon returning to Fairbanks, he followed his passion for media, working at KJNP before launching his own radio show, "The Fairbanks Gospel Hour," in November 1991. Sponsored by the Greater Fairbanks NAACP, the program was a platform to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and foster unity throughout the community.
Professionally, Robert was a dedicated worker in the dry-cleaning industry, serving the community through Adko Cleaners, Fairbanks Cleaners, and VIP Cleaners. Later, he spent over a decade working in Nutritional Services for the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District and at Office Max.
A man of deep faith, Robert accepted Christ as his savior in early adulthood at First Church of God in Christ, where he remained a devoted member for over 30 years. He served in numerous roles, including youth Sunday school teacher, church trustee, Young People Willing Workers instructor, and deacon. Later, he joined St. John Baptist Church, where he continued to serve joyfully through the men's choir, men's ministry, and church events. Robert found great joy in spiritually, financially, and nutritionally uplifting others and cherished time spent with his beloved family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Kinnard Sr.; mother, Martha Nevins; daughter, Elizabeth Kinnard; and several dear aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Robert leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Caroline Kinnard; sons, Dewayne Kinnard, Justin Kinnard, and Robert Kinnard III; grandsons, Demetrius Kinnard and Demarcus Kinnard; granddaughter, Andrea Kinnard; sister, Debra Ann Blackburn (Willie); brother, Bernard Kinnard (Ingrid); aunts, Gladys Brown (Aaron), Lydia Flory, and Dorothy Wingfield; lifelong friend, Jackie Dean; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
A homegoing celebration will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 30, 2025, at St. John Baptist Church, 802 17th Avenue, Fairbanks, AK. Visitation will begin at noon. Interment will follow at Northern Lights Memorial Park Cemetery.
The repast will be held at 4:30 p.m. at the 8 Star Events Center, 1485 30th Avenue, Fairbanks, AK 99701.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Robert Kinnard Jr. Scholarship Fund at Spirit of Alaska Federal Credit Union to support youth pursuing higher education, or to a local church within the Fairbanks community.