Kash Krinhop

Kash Krinhop, 53, was born in Birmingham, Alabama to Brenda Donnell Krinhop and Dallas Krinhop. He died December 22, 2023 having spent his last hours on this Earth with good friends and two of his children by his side.

Despite his Alabama birth, he grew up in his mother’s hometown of Huntington, Texas.  He often quipped that he grew up behind “The Pine Curtain” which spoke to his love of history and great sense of humor. His rural roots allowed for lone adventures in the forest without adult supervision, his dog Marsha protected him while he hunted squirrel. When he wasn’t in the woods, he might be found in the field, lying in the pasture pretending to be dead watching vultures circle, all for his own self entertainment. Living on the outskirts of town didn’t offer easily organized “playdates”, but once he could ride a bike, he rode miles on the country roads to visit with his close friends. In time, that bike was replaced with a truck and back roads were driven listening to his favorite metal bands while laughing and chatting with his friends, sometimes hanging at Lake Sam Rayburn.

In the 70s and 80s, baseball was still America’s favorite pastime. Kash’s father, Dallas, passed on his love and knowledge of baseball to Kash and assisted Kash’s teams with coaching. When he became a parent himself, he taught his boys the game, and his daughter softball. He helped with their teams and could often be found along the fence at first base nervously watching their games and he insisted on driving them home, discussing the game highlights and stopping for a chocolate shake for reward.

When Kash graduated high school, he followed his father’s and grandfather’s example and joined the U.S. Navy. The GI Bill enabled him to afford college and he graduated from Texas A&M in 1996, the first of his family to graduate college. He earned both a Bachelors and Masters degree in the field of Anthropology. While there, he worked at University Bookstore where he met many more friends including his wife, Samantha (Schiffhauer) Krinhop. With a passion for cultural anthropology, he traveled with other students to Guatemala to excavate Mayan ruins in the mountains. During graduate school, his thesis covered the topic of volunteer fire departments in Snook, TX. This opportunity would lead to his first professional job at the Center for Community Support at PPRI/ TAMU.

Kash had an incredible work ethic, often working nights and weekends. He was extremely successful as a grant writer; his funding success rate was over 4 times the average. Though Kash was an excellent writer, his greatest strength was that he understood local communities and their people. He had a special affinity for fire fighters, particularly volunteers. In one calendar year, half of all the new federally funded firetrucks in Texas were due to his proposals. The Kennedy School at Harvard University gave the Center for Community Support an award for Innovations in American Government which was followed by an award from Governor Rick Perry in 2003. Many agree Kash deserved the primary credit for those awards.  Later his work took a new direction. He helped coordinate worldwide research on the education of children with disabilities. In 2011, Ban KI Moon, the UN Secretary General in a state of the world report, cited PPRI as one of two research organizations conducting research critical to global welfare. Kash’s career with Texas A&M spanned about 25 years where he made enduring friendships.

In the middle of all these events, he married Samantha in 1998. They welcomed their children (triplets) into the world in 2003. Kash’s tender side was best seen when he interacted and spoke of his kids. When he first saw his daughter, and her resemblance to him he quipped, “I make a handsome man, but I’m not sure I make a pretty girl”. He spent countless hours reading to them in the evening (he and his boys would look at military picture books as well). He played classical music for them, but he wanted their musical knowledge broad, so Ronnie James Dio and Ozzy made the mix too. All these experiences helped shape the triplets.  Their childhood was filled playing sports and participating in orchestra. His boys followed their father’s footsteps and joined the armed forces. Zane serves in the U.S. Navy and Vaughn serves in the Marines. Grace attends TAMU. His pride for his kids was the center of many conversations throughout their life.

Kash was preceded in death by his grandparents, Leonard and Thelma Donnell and Herbert and Vera Krinhop; aunt, Teresa Beckham; and mother, Brenda Krinhop. He is survived by his father, Dallas Krinhop; his children Zane, Vaughn, and Grace Krinhop; aunts, Rita Barnhart and Mary Krinhop; uncles, Kenneth Krinhop and Curtis Beckham; and numerous cousins. Special friends include Sandy Williams, Amy Modisette, Kelly Oliver.

Sam Williams, Deacon at Solid Rock Baptist Church of Zavalla and childhood friend will officiate at graveside. In addition, Trey Marchbanks and Dr. Charles Johnson will speak. Pallbearers include Trey Marchbanks, Les Mercatoris, Curt Beckham, Cason Beckham, Trent Smith, and Sam Williams. Honorary pallbearers include Jay Oliver, Craig Hudnall, Blake Hopson, Rhett Clark, and Richard Barnhart.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be graciously accepted to the American Red Cross and the USO; both organizations offer support for traveling military.