Date of death: 4/5/2024
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1980
Kevin Joseph Karl passed away peacefully on April 5, 2024, surrounded by chosen family.
He was born May 25, 1954, in Bowling Green, KY to Leo and Betty Karl (both deceased). The third of four children, he liked to joke that he was an only child who just happened to have siblings, and his siblings would agree. His family included his sister Sharon Cohron (Gene) (both deceased) and bonus sister-in-law Winnie Cohron and their children Wendy Lovett (James) Wesley Cohron (Tricia) and Wallace Cohron (Jennifer Fong); sister Debra Goins (Dale, deceased) and their children Brandon Goins (Sonia Blangiardo) and Brooke Goins; and Greg Karl (Theresa) and their children Emily and John Paul. He took great delight in his great nieces and nephews Cooper and Carter Cohron, Renlee Lovett, and Lila, and Clara Cohron. He stayed close to his cousins and was the keeper of the family history.
Kevin met Christopher Quirk in 2000 and they married in 2015. The love they shared was life-changing for each, and they packed that love, joy, and laughter into each day they spent together. He loved his sister- and brother-in-law Grace and Jeff Thompson and their daughters Caroline (Patrick Hickey) and Georgia (Sam Perkins) deeply and spent many life events, vacations, and holidays in their company. Christopher’s parents Anne and George Quirk hosted Kevin on his trips to Houston for medical treatment and supported him throughout the journey. Michael and Carrie McGrath and their children Justin and Rose held a special place in his heart. Kevin also formed deep relationships with his small faith community of Ann and Doug Pifer, Susan and Steve Kute, Donna and Robert Schmidt, Larry and Jan Bloemer, Barbara and Ed Dunsworth, Carole Goodwin, Peg Schervish, and Kitty Wagner. He shared great food and laughter with his wine tasting group including Beth and Tony Zangari, Susan and Kevin Duncan, Denise Carroll and Bill Russell, Capper Rademaker, Joe Mitchell, and Tim Mitchell.
Kevin was dedicated to learning throughout his life and earned a BA in Philosophy from St Pius X seminary in Erlanger, KY, MA in Theology from St. Meinrad College, MA in Applied Spirituality from the University of San Francisco, and MA in Social Work from the Kent School at the University of Louisville. Kevin began ministering to others as a priest of the Diocese of Owensboro where he served as Vocation Director as well as pastor at numerous parishes under the leadership of Bishop McRaith. His connection to his fellow priests as well as parishioners and staff at those assignments remained strong through the years. He was loaned to St. Meinrad where he served as a spiritual director and made friendships that remained strong his whole life. After leaving the priesthood in 1998, Kevin moved to Louisville where he began working in the mental health field. He accepted the position of director at Franciscan Health Care Assisted Living where he helped so many to age gracefully. He was skilled at working with the elderly and sharing the spirituality of aging. In 2010, he went into private practice as a mental health therapist and spiritual director where he helped countless clients until his retirement in 2022.
In the summer of 2022, Kevin was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer which he bravely confronted through chemotherapy and a clinical trial. Upon diagnosis, his first words were “I have lived my whole life by faith, why should I stop now?” He was so grateful to the doctors and nurses of the CBC Group at Baptist Hospital and MD Anderson Cancer Center who cared compassionately for him throughout. By his side for each step of the cancer journey were his friends Capper Rademaker, Alex Reidinger, Steve Waugh, Dan Adams, Allison Miller, and Trevor Underwood who gave him both joy and comfort.
Kevin’s faith was central to his life. He lived the Beatitudes in the most generous way. He was passionate about sharing his spirituality, and he had the ability to connect everyone with the tender and forgiving God he so loved. Anyone who met him was greeted with love and laughter and compassion. Whether family, friend, client, or stranger – having Kevin Karl in one’s life was a gift. And, we are just saying that because it’s true!