Kenny Mohmand

Kenny Mohmand was a big man with an even bigger heart. He had a big laugh, a big smile, and a larger-than-life personality to match. Kenny was a loving husband, father, brother and son. His life and his love live on in all who knew him.

Kenny’s story began in 1981 in the bustling city of Kalamazoo, Michigan. On September 17, 1981, Patricia Mohmand celebrated the birth of her baby boy at Borgess Hospital. Kenny joined his older brother Lloyd in the family’s home, and was later joined by his younger sibling Kaveh. His big brother was 11 years older, and very excited to have a baby brother.

Kenny's mother worked for the Federal Government. His parents divorced when Kenny was three, but both remained actively involved in his life.

Kenny was a very quiet young boy, well behaved and with a big appetite! Like many boys, Kenny loved all sorts of games growing up, in particular a card game called Magic: The Gathering. He was quite adept at playing it. He won quite a few tournaments, and at one point was a top ranked player in Southwest Michigan.

He was also a natural athlete, which became apparent when he tried soccer for the first time. By the time he reached middle school in the Parchment School District, Kenny’s athletic ability began to shine. He was unusually agile for such a big boy, and became a very skilled tennis player. He was awarded All-State tennis honors at Parchment.

Kenny graduated from Parchment High School in 2000, and then began attending Kalamazoo Valley Community College. He graduated with an Associate’s degree in Elementary Education and Psychology. He soon headed off to Kansas State University for a year. He then returned home to finish his education at Western Michigan University.

Kenny began working at ROI, Residential Opportunity, Inc., where he helped care for his patients, taking them to various places as a Personal Care Assistant. It was a good job for Kenny, who was very patient and loved helping people.

Kenny had a strong relationship with the Lord. His love of Christ was evident to anyone within the first five minutes of meeting him. He was always actively involved in churches and Christian organizations, which include Spring Valley church in Cooper Township, Christian Challenge at Kansas State University, The Xperience and Intervarsity Christian Fellowship at Western Michigan University, Resurrection Life Church in Richland, and Threads Church in Portage. He was heavily involved in outreach ministries around the country. His involvement helped him make God the center of his life.

Kenny met his future wife Kathrina at Resurrection Life Church. After a few years of dating, Kenny and Kathrina were married on July 7, 2007. The newlyweds became parents on August 28, 2007, when they celebrated the birth of their baby boy, Kaden.

The birth of his son was one of the greatest days of his life. Kaden was truly a gift from God to Kenny and Kathrina and meant everything to them. There was nothing they loved more than spending time with their son.

Kenny was working as a Sales Associate at Circuit City in Portage. Anyone who came into the store instantly recognized Kenny and usually ended up walking out with a big screen TV or something expensive. He was one of the top salespeople in the department within the first month.

Kenny died suddenly on Monday, March 3, 2008, at the age of 26. He was the kind of man people always wanted to be around. He always made time for the people he cared about, and that was pretty much everyone.

We will all miss him, but we have peace knowing he is in heaven, hearing “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

Kenny is survived by his wife, Kathrina (Strautkalns); his six month old son, Kaden; his mother, Patricia Mohmand, of Cooper; five siblings, Lloyd (Nikki) McGruder, of Portage; Kaveh (fiancé, Jennifer Barry) Mohmand, of Kalamazoo; Saidal Mohmand; Arian and Aliyah Mohmand. He is also survived by his grandparents Stan and Leota Sunnock, Grandma Mohmand; niece Katie McGruder and nephew Trevor McGruder.

Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, March 6, 2008, from 4-7 p.m. at Threads Church, 3600 W. Milham, Portage, MI 49002. Service is scheduled for Friday, March 7, 2008, from 11 a.m.-12 noon at Threads Church. There will also be a luncheon at Spring Valley Church on Mt. Olivet (north of G Ave. in Cooper) following the funeral.

To share a memory or photo of Kenny, or to sign his online guestbook, please visit www.todaycenter.com.