Obituary - Kevin J. Knutson

Kevin J. Knutson, 62, passed away June 7, 2023,  after a short battle with lung cancer, at his home in Forest Grove, Oregon.

Kevin was born in June 1960 in Havre, Montana, to Arlen and Donna (Donoven) Knutson. He was raised in Kremlin, Montana, until the third grade, when his family moved to Hillsboro, Oregon. In 1976, his family moved back to Kremlin. At KG High School in Gildford, Montana, Kevin excelled in sports and charmed the ladies.

After graduation, Kevin worked on the farm, managed a grain elevator, and did other assorted work before returning to Oregon. Kevin worked for Northwest Marine Ironworks, in the rigging department.

After several years, Kevin decided to go to where the sun shined and moved to Bakersfield, California. Kevin first went to work in the oil fields doing rig maintenance. Then, he switched careers and became a successful financial advisor, which allowed him to spend more time on the golf course, a game that he loved. 

While in Bakersfield, he met Teri Bjorn and they established a long-term relationship. Their son, Kyle, was born in 1991.

In 1993, Kevin was diagnosed with leukemia. He beat it the first time, but three years later it came back. He had an experimental procedure that successfully treated his cancer, but resulted in the loss of both of his eyes. 

Despite the battle, he never lost his sense of humor and joy for life. He invented a device called the BrailleMaster that made it easier for people to learn braille on their own. 

Kevin enjoyed being with his son, Kyle, and the rest of his family. He also stayed in touch with his best friends in Montana, and made many new friends through a chat line for the blind. While he had his sight, his best days were on the golf course and teaching Kyle the ways of the world.

In September 2022, Kevin was diagnosed with an aggressive form of lung cancer. He passed away nine months later in the presence of his loved ones. 

Kevin is survived by his son, Kyle, of Portland, OR.; his parents, Arlen and Donna Knutson of Forest Grove, Oregon; siblings, Cheryl (Lynn) McClure of Hillsboro, Oregon; Doug (Buttons) Knutson of Great Falls, Montana; Darwin (Judy) Knutson of Aloha, Oregon; numerous nieces and nephews, and many friends.