Chris Kinlaw, 51, of Waco, and a former City of Waco Police Department Commander, went to be with the Lord, Wednesday, June 12, 2019.
Visitation: 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Sunday, June 16, at Lake Shore Funeral Home
Celebration of Life: 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 17, at Lake Shore Funeral Home
Burial: China Spring Cemetery
John Christopher Kinlaw lost his battle that lasted over nine years with an inoperable brain aneurysm Wednesday, June 12, 2019, at the age of 51. He was born at Hillcrest Hospital July 26th, 1967 to parents Keith Kinlaw and Sharron Blakney. Chris’ family moved to Robinson when he was five-years-old where he attended grade school and received his diploma. He played trumpet in the Robinson High School Band, during which they marched to UIL state champions.
Chris was baptized at Meadowbrook Baptist Church in Robinson at the age of twelve. As an adult he attended First Baptist and Oak Grove Baptist, both located in China Spring.
Chris started working at the age of fourteen. He rode his bicycle from his home in Robinson to Polar Bear Ashburn’s Ice Cream Shop off of Bosque Blvd. in Waco.
Chris earned a Bachelor Degree of Criminal Justice from Tarleton State University, and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Midwestern State University. He received promotions during his twenty-eight years serving in a variety of departments at the Waco Police Department, promoting from Officer to Sergeant to Commander.
He met Cathy Aaron in 1985, and they married on May 23rd, 1987. Chris and Cathy shared many life events during their thirty-three years together, but the time with their three daughters brought them their most cherished memories. Chris and Cathy have fond memories of taking their family to Disney parks, beaches and softball complexes all over the United States.
Other hobbies he enjoyed included watching Dallas Cowboy football, fishing, and motorcycles. He enjoyed music throughout his life, and loved singing. He will be remembered for his unique sense of humor that melded with his direct, upfront, and to the point personality.
Chris was preceded in death by his father, Keith Kinlaw; paternal and fraternal grandparents; aunt Hilda, and favorite uncle, Michael Abel.
Survivors include his wife, Cathy; their children, Mollie, Emilyann and Kayleigh, her husband, Thomas; and granddaughter, Ivalynn; his mother, Sharron, her husband, Bob and her sister, Schelly; sisters, Kistin and Kourtni, and their husbands, Mark and Kevin; many in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins and nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in honor of his childhood best friend, Marc Crabbe or to The Waco Police Association.
Place of Service: Lake Shore Funeral Home , 5201 Steinbeck Bend; Waco, TX 76708
Print Obituary & Condolences
So sorry for your loss, Rest In Peace my friend.
Commander Kinlaw was a kind friend to me, always had a smile or story to share. I have good memories while he was going through the police academy and going through the ranks to become a Commander. My prayers, condolences and thoughts to his family. Our loss is heavens gain. Rest well my friend, rest well.
I love you all! Prayers for healing! ❤️
Memorial contribution made in honor of Chris to St Judes Research Hospital in the memory of his friend. I’m praying for you and the girls. Peace with you all during this time. Love you!
Thank you Chris and family for your years of service to our city. Prayers for comfort and peace.
Praying for your family’s comfort.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Many prayers for the family.
R.IP. My Friend.
My thoughts and prayers to the Kinlaw family. He introduced me to thermal optic vision on midnights. He always liked the latest technology. Rest easy Commander Kinlaw.
May you Rest In Peace Chris. Condolences and prayers to the Kinlaw family.
Chris, our son Marky Ben is in God’s hands waiting to play again with you. We have loved you your whole life and will miss you as will everyone that knew you.
Rest easy Chris. You’ll be missed. From the troops at BaylorScott and White Public Safety.
Thinking of your family during this difficult time of loss and praying for comfort and peace for you all.
RIP my friend. We had a lot of fun while I was you’re FTO. You are in no pain and maybe in heaven, you will talk to my dad.
Prayers for you and you’re family.
Chris was a year ahead of me in school and we lived less than a block from each other. I remember a lot of good times riding bikes through the neighborhood, then in his 1966 El Camino and some awesome and funny times in band. He was an great trumpet player and set the bar high for me. Chris was in high school band when Robinson won state in 1982 and 1985. I am so sorry for your loss Kinlaw family. I know he will be missed.
So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
So very sorry for the loss of this amazing person. Thank you Sir for your service. You will be missed. Prayers for your family and friends. Rest easy. Much love and hugs
It is time for celebration of life ???????????? of son , brother, nephew, cousin, husband, dad, son in law, brother in law uncle, commander, father in law and BIG DADDY ❣❣ let’s reflect with love, laughter and yes tears as the celebration of the awesome man we all love and know in our own ways????????????????????????????
I’m so sorry. I wish I had known him better. He was always so kind and thinking of others first. I think of the time we were all down at Enes
for Christmas and the last time playing that board game last summer. Prayers . May God hug you close .
It saddens me to hear about Chris, my thoughts and prayers are with his family. RIP, Chris.
Robinson Rockets Class of 1985
You don’t have to explain your world view to your high school friends because they were around to help you shape it.
Everyday is indeed a gift and I know you are playing your trumpet loud for the angels above.
Play on Chris……Play On!
Fitzie
Chris was a wonderful guy and a great trumpet player! I have many found memories of him when we were both a part of The Pride of the Blue, Robinson high school band! Chris contributed to two State Championships! Lots of thoughts and prayers go out to his sweet family!
I am sorry for your loss. Prayers for your family.
I am deeply saddened to hear of Chris’s passing. We were classmates at Robinson and graduated together in 1985. I will always remember the years together in band and other school activities. Prayers for all. Rest in peace Chris.
My deepest condolences and prayers to the family.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. May God Bless you and comfort you during this difficult time. Take comfort in knowing that he is with the Lord.
Prayers to your family. Chris and I both played trumpet. I looked up to him. He was a super awesome person. He was a great Commander! He will be missed. RIP Chris. Brother in blue
Love and we will miss you
Sorry for your loss. A donation was given to St Jude’s in memory of Chris. Take care.
Dear Kinlaw Family,
The Baylor Scott & White Hospice team is thinking of you during this time. Thank you for allowing us to care for Mr. Kinlaw and please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
So very sorry for your loss. Prayers to your family
So sorry for your loss. Praying for you and your family.
I’m so sorry for your loss. May God be with you in this difficult time.
I’m so sorry for the loss of such a great man. I knew him and the girls from school and then working with him at the WPD for many years. He will be missed. Fly High Commander Kinlaw.
Your family has my prayers for comfort & peace. Chris was a son, a husband & a father to be proud of. I know you’ll miss him, I’m so sorry for your loss.
We are so sorry for your loss, our thoughts and prayers are with the the family.
Thank you all for all the love and support you have given us.
Baylor Scott and White Hospice and Comfort Keepers for the exceptional care that Chris recieved . Special caregivers Sarai and Jose, I cannot thank you enough. Lake Shore Funeral Home and especially Bill Coleman who did so much to help make a beautiful service. Waco Police Dept., Honor Guard, and Funeral escort service thank you for being there for Chris and the family.