Kevin Dewey Malmstrom Obituary (2024)

Kevin D. Malmstrom Age 65. Kevin loved adventureand steak! "The rarer the better!" he would say. In his early 20s Kevin committed his life to faith in Jesus and little did he know what his life adventure would look like. His faith journey waxed and waned over the years but his belief in Jesus never did, and his adventures were many. Born May 14, 1958, in Seattle, WA, Kevin was raised on Pine Lake in Issaquah, WA. Kevin had an easy-going way about him and would strike up a conversation with just about anyone, his heart was genuine. He was a very likable human being. He spent his life seeking the next place to be and to see, meeting people as he traveled along. He traveled the world in his 20s, and, more recently, the USA as a long-haul truck driver. For 20 years, he drove East from Yakima to New York and South to Arizona, delivering goods and a lot of fruit to somewhere you perhaps shop! He retired from truck driving and picked up a job as a school custodian for East Valley School District in Yakima, 2023. It was a job he loved, and it suited him well for this phase of his life as it kept him close to home, giving him the ability to keep a good eye on his mom, Betty Medley. They were very close and lived life together on the same property for 24 years. He also went to college in his later years and got an AA degree; something he was very proud of, as school was not one of his favorite pastimes! Good job, Kev! Kevin was a hard worker, and his employers always told him so. He loved to travel, ski (before his knees gave out!), fish for anything from sunfish as a kid on Pine Lake to Marlin on the big blue ocean as an adult. He loved to watch sports on TV, often giving comments out loud about the plays that got messed up, the refs calls, or how the outcome of the game should have gone a different way "if only they had done this or that!" he would say! He loved all kinds of music, from country to gospel to rock and roll! In his younger years he was handy under the hood of a car. Kevin loved to cook and bake; during one season of his life, he was a chef! He had perfected the family recipe of Cranberry Pudding with Carmel sauce, which he always brought to family holiday gatherings. He also took up helping his mom make loaves and loaves of Yule cake to pass out to her friends at Christmastime the past couple years. Kevin took one last adventure to Arizona with his mom in January 2024 to see his daughter, Jasmine, and meet his newest grandchild, Max, which gave him great joy. That trip was a gift, given the quick turn Kevins life took in late February 2024. His other daughter, Kassie, lives closer to Yakima and was able to come with her husband and be with Kevin during his last few days. Kassie was able to hold the phone to Kevins ear so Jasmine could talk to him from Arizona, as, sadly, she knew she couldnt get to him in time to say goodbye. The family is very grateful that Kevin got to see Jasmine and her family, and that Kassie was able to come be with Kevin at the end. Kevin fought hard to live, and he beat many health issues in his 65 years, but he lost this short battle with flu type A and pneumonia when his lungs finally just gave out. It is thought by family he would tell youplease dont smoke! In the end, Kevin left his tired, worn-out body behind and went home to be with Jesus with his beloved mother/best friend by his side. She was singing the hymn "Nearer My God to Thee" as he breathed his last breath. It was as perfect as it could have been, all things considered. He will be greatly missed. Kevin loved dogs and the lost or stray dogs always knew how to find him, so its fitting that, in lieu of flowers, any memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society in Kevins name. (Or to the charity of your choice.) Kevin is survived by his two daughters, Jasmine (Josch) Goff of Snowflake, AZ, (grandchildren McKenzie, Brooklyn, Josch Jr and Maxx), Kassandra (Lavrenty) Matveev of Spokane, WA, his mother Betty Medley of Yakima, WA, his sister Kelle (Bob) Guchee of Yakima, WA, a niece Meg Harmon (Chase), a nephew Matt Guchee (Laura), two aunts (Barbara Olsen and Judy Dovenmuehler), and five cousins (Ann, John, Doug, Dan, and Deb). The family will gather for a celebration of Kevins life later this spring. Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.brooksidefuneral.com.