Richard A. Kinkie

Richard Arnold Kinkie died Thursday, July 4, 2024, at his home in Pray, Montana. He was 73 years of age.

Born June 15, 1951, to Leonard and Alice (Pickett) Kinkie, Richard was a lifelong resident of Park County. Growing up, he worked alongside his parents and sister, Nancy, on the Emigrant Peak Ranch. 

Richard was a graduate of Park High School and of Montana State University, where he earned a Master’s of Science Degree in Animal Science. In his earlier years, Richard worked a number of jobs to put himself through school or help the family. He guided fly-fishermen alongside his father, a significant feat given his inability to swim and healthy respect for the water. Richard guided hunters in the valley and maintained several trap lines, saving pelt money to buy his first truck. When his father passed away in 1979, Richard took over ranch management.

After school, Richard brought his love for cattle genetics and breeding back to the ranch, developing a program that continues to yield top-notch, Black Angus cattle. A sales representative for the American Breeders Service for over 50 years, nothing made him happier than pouring through bull catalogs and discussing expected progeny differences with his friends and neighbors. 

Richard met Druska Tulley at MSU, and they married in 1982. The ranch provided a backdrop for many happy memories for Richard and his family, including hunts with his son and close friends, trailing cattle to summer pasture, branding, firewood cutting, and Christmas tree hunting. 

Richard is survived by his wife, Druska, children Alan Kinkie and Rachel (Mike) Meredith, grandchildren Addy (21), Kyler (18), Quade (4), and McCoy (4) Meredith, and sister Nancy (Darrell) Peterson. He is also survived by Harold and Patricia Stewart, whom he considered family. 

Richard was proud of his children and their accomplishments and found peace knowing that the ranch is left in their capable hands.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., Wednesday, July 10th at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 110 W. Summit St., Livingston, Montana. A reception will immediately follow at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to Park County 4-H, 119 South 3rd Street, Livingston, Montana 59047, noting Rich Kinkie Memorial in the memo line.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to all who visited, called, or wrote to Richard during his illness, as it was very meaningful to him.

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