Kevin Craig Kordes, born June 25, 1960 in Bethany, Missouri to Kenneth Charles and Elinor Kay (Helton) Kordes died Thursday, April 26th at the age of 51 from a single vehicle accident.

Kevin graduated from Gallatin High School in 1978, attended Mizzou, and graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1984. He married Robin Smith in Columbia on August 26, 1983.

He returned to his hometown where he worked at Hope Funeral Home. Kevin and his family moved to Rolla in 1986 when they bought Atkisson-Swinfard Funeral Home, which he renamed Kordes Funeral Home. He later obtained the Long Funeral Homes in Vienna, Dixon and Crocker.

Kevin was a compassionate person who believed in the funeral profession, serving on the committees of the Missouri Funeral Director's Association and as a past President of the board of the Missouri Funeral Trust. He was the owner-operator of Rolla Monument Company and Elite Concrete Engraving. Kevin was a member of Valley of Joplin Scottish Rite, 32nd degree mason. He was past Rajah of the South Central Missouri Shrine Club, Rolla Lodge #213, Abou Ben Adhem of Springfield and a member of the Ring Club.

He was currently employed by Meyer Asphalt Company of Rolla.

Amanda, Kaleb, and their friends, his extended family, was the center of his life. He absolutely loved the outdoors, and anything he could experience with his children. He loved to teach them the many joys of hunting, fishing, sports, or just provide a shoulder to lean on. His patience with young children was exceptional. Kevin and his friends were quite the pranksters. His friends completed his life.

Kevin loved people, young and old. He was a simple man with a very loving heart. There was nothing he would not do to help someone, if he could find a way.

He leaves behind the loves of his life, Robin of their home, daughter Amanda Lee and son Kaleb Craig both of Dallas, Texas; parents Kay and Kenny of Gallatin; brother Keith of Camden Point; aunt Diane Gray, uncle Steve Helton, uncle John Helton, aunt Jan Helton, all of Missouri; father-in-law Robert (Bob) Smith of Doolittle, sister-in-law Dana Wood and husband Tripp of Dallas, Texas; nieces Rachael and Emily Kordes of Camden Point, and nephews Braden and Hudson Wood of Dallas, Texas. Also left to try to fill the void in their hearts are many relatives and friends. Kevin was preceded in death by his mother-in-law Helen Marie (Weiker) Smith.

A memorial gathering will be held from 4 – 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 1, 2012, with a Masonic Service at 6:00 P.M. and a memorial service at 6:30 p.m., at the James and Gahr Mortuary, Rolla.

Memorial donations are suggested to Joy of Caring Cancer Fund, care of Phelps Regional Health Care Foundation, P.O. Box 261, Rolla, MO 65402.