Roy Elmer Kinnunen

Roy Elmer Kinnunen, 87, passed Friday, April 12th, in Astoria.

Roy was born on November 5, 1924, in Steele, North Dakota, to Emil and Esther Hytonen. After the death of his mother, he was adopted (along with his sister Sylvia) by Jack and Jenny Kinnunen of Kintyre, North Dakota. The family moved to Astoria in 1942, where Roy graduated from Astoria High School, class of ‘43.

He served two years in the US Navy on the USS Hulbert during WWII. After the war he returned to Astoria and began working in the appliance industry as an appliance repairman for the Washing Machine Service Company in Uniontown. In 1967, he opened Roy’s Maytag Home Appliance Center and operated it until his retirement in 1988.

In retirement, he enjoyed fishing and worked for many summers on charter boats, earning his captain’s license. Winters were spent fine-tuning his golf game in Yuma, Arizona, and he also immensely enjoyed traveling. He was a friend to all, and knew no strangers.

Roy was a long-time member of Peace Lutheran Church, and served on the Church Council. He was active in various local organizations including Boy Scouts of America serving as a troop leader for many years. His involvement in the Boy Scouts awarded him the prestigious Silver Beaver award in 1971. He served as a Trustee of the Finnish Brotherhood Lodge #2, participated on the Fire House Construction Committee and served with the Teamsters. He was also a member of The Astoria Elks Lodge and The American Legion.

Roy had seven siblings that preceded him in death; brothers Rayno and Ralph; sisters Sylvia, Pearl, Ellen, Gladys and Verna. A son-in-law, Jim Van Cleave, also preceded him in death in 1996.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Gertrude Palo Kinnunen of Astoria. His three children; son, Jack Kinnunen of Astoria, daughter Ellen and husband Gary Austin of Dallas, Texas, and daughter Karen Van Cleave, also of Astoria. Five grandchildren; Joe Austin of Dallas, Texas, Laila and husband Fred Johnson of Seattle, Washington, Erika Austin of New York, New York, Alex Kinnunen of Cooleemee, North Carolina, and Angela and husband Si Lister of Springfield, Oregon. Four great-grandchildren; Dylan, James, and Kamryn Lister of Springfield, Oregon, and Desmond Johnson of Seattle, Washington.

A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, April 18th, at 2:00 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church, with a reception to follow. A private family interment will precede the Memorial Service.

Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to Peace Lutheran Church Memorial Fund (565 12th St., Astoria OR 97103) or the Finnish Brotherhood Lodge #2 (244 W. Marine Drive, Astoria OR 97103).

*Maytag Man, Rest In Peace*