Jim Kickertz died Saturday, Sept. 7 at his home in Kyle. He was 61 years old.
James Gordon Kickertz, the son of Fred Otto Kickertz and Myrtle Ruth Kickertz, was born May 3, 1952 in Glenwood, Minnesota. Jim grew up in Glenwood and graduated from Glenwood High School in 1970. He moved to Austin in 1971 and began his career as a meat cutter for Safeway, Inc. In 1984, Jim began his long-time relationship with Whole Foods, first as a meat cutter, then a meat and seafood consultant. At the same time, to follow his own personal woodworking dream, Jim began building birdhouses and patio decks in his garage.
One day, after constructing a college-style bookcase, Jim was inspired to pursue a new career as a woodworker. Jim’s love of woodworking started as a hobby and progressed to setting up his business, K&J Woodworks, in his garage in 1987.
When Whole Foods needed some store fixtures, Jim started building their display cases. As Jim put it, just as Whole Foods was erupting, he was able to erupt with them. Jim’s entrepreneurial passion, combined with the rise of Whole Foods, landed him various side project jobs fabricating custom millwork fixtures for stores both locally in Texas and across the country.
Outgrowing the garage, K&J moved to its own building in Kyle and then, in 2010, to a new building in Uhland, designed by Jim. Over 27 years, Jim built K&J Woodworks into a very successful business, which just this summer celebrated the opening of the expanded building in Uhland.
Jim was a very active member of First Baptist Church of Kyle. A wonderful family man, he always tried to make it to family gatherings, no matter how far away and was always ready to help and share his talents and love. Jim was a great driver who loved speed, whether it was his speedboat on Lake Travis or his car on the highways. Jim loved driving, playing cards, a good joke and just plain fun. Jim was beloved by all of his large extended family, and truly the light of his life was his daughter Kayle. We will all miss this big bear of a man with such a gentle spirit.
He is survived by his daughter Kayle Dawn Kickertz of Kyle; stepmother Erma Kickertz of Glenwood, MN; brother Fred E. (Betty) Kickertz of Plymouth, MN; sister Virginia Kickertz of San Pedro, CA; sister Betty Jean (Lee) Recknor of Rochester, MN; brother Allan (Kathy) Kickertz of Elburn, IL; sister Genevieve Murtaugh of Richmond VA; stepbrother Gary (Lori) Overstead of Anchorage, AK; stepsisters Sharon Robards of Starbuck, MN; Sandy (Richard) Larson of Starbuck, MN and Julie Erickson of Glenwood, MN; Aunts Ruth Hemm of Fargo, ND and Ila Vey Kickertz of Chaffee, ND; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
A memorial service celebrating his life will be held on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Kyle. Arrangements were made by Harrell Funeral Home, Kyle.
