Michael Burke Kincaid

MICHAEL BURKE KINCAID Supported by his family, friends and priest, Michael Burke Kincaid was released from his tortured body and went to be with his God on March 25, 2015 at the age of 40. A memorial service celebrating his all too short life will be held at Boston Avenue United Methodist Church at 4:00 pm on Monday, March 30, 2015. Mike was born on December 26, 1974 to Aloah Burke and James Lewis Kincaid amid a flurry of political-type signs between the home and hospital proclaiming “Aloah for Mother” all acknowledging his mother’s long involvement in Democrat politics. He inherited her love of civic duty and pride and early began his involvement in political campaigns. It was rumored, but never confirmed, that he was a consummate installer of his candidates’ yard signs in lieu of the opponents. Mike was a good student who had an abiding love of learning and an intellectual curiosity which he maintained throughout his life. He attended BTW High School and continued his family’s tradition of excellence in competitive public speaking, winning many speech tournaments including four successive state original oratory championships. Mike, even at an early age, loved people. He liked meeting new people, never met a stranger and never had an enemy. His ebullient love of life was contagious—a precursor to his adult success in energy marketing. Mike was an Eagle Scout, Order of the Arrow accomplished at Troop 20, Boston Avenue United Methodist Church and his troop leaders remained his friends all through his adult life. Mike was also an artist excelling in photography, winning several National Scholastic awards and showing his work in a number of local and regional art shows. He worked to improve his technique with celebrated photographer David Halpern. He also became involved with the design and marketing of jewelry, making beautiful creations for family and friends. Mike graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1996 with a degree in Philosophy and Religion. Only he would have thought that course of study would prepare him to become an energy marketer, but it did. In short, Mike was truly a Renaissance man. He believed that people should embrace all knowledge and develop their capacities as fully as possible. He tried to do just that. After graduation, he returned to Tulsa and began his career in energy marketing joining his two brothers in business. To his other interests he added cooking and became an accomplished barbecue artist. Ultimately, he joined a team, which won several awards in barbecuing. His friends especially enjoyed this newfound talent because Mike was well known for sharing the results of his cooking with his family and friends. When Mike barbecued chicken, he didn’t cook two or three, he smoked 15 or 20 and shared the bounty. That not being enough, he then became active in martial arts including boxing and Krav Maga. Mike loved his family, particularly his nieces and nephews and that love extended to all children. Thus, the request hereinafter. During all of his short life, Mike developed an unusual grit and determination. To be less flattering, Mike was determined, obstinate, indeed, stubborn. When faced with adversity he never wilted or acceded, instead he clenched his teeth and moved forward. Compromise was not in his vocabulary. In 2005, as his career was thriving, Mike was severely injured when an automobile ran a red light at 15th and Lewis and crashed into his car. The accident resulted in severe damage to his spine ultimately leading to deteriorating disks and debilitating pain. Mike did not quit. He continued to build his customer lists and energy marketing skills, but the pain became unbearable. Finally in 2007, he went to Germany to receive a multiple artificial disk replacement, a procedure not then available in the United States. He returned free of pain and with renewed hope. Three months later he suffered a massive stroke left his body and his brain severely damaged. Again, Mike would not quit. He started another years-long rehabilitation program designed to restore his broken body and repair his damaged brain. Year after year Mike continued to work to regain his success in the energy marketing business, but intermittent seizures robbed him of that goal. Ultimately a slow but positive recovery began, when a second stroke and grand mal seizure resulted in another car accident which nearly took his life and did destroy his left ankle and damaged his legs. The result was a whole new round of constant pain, but Mike did not quit. From his bed and chair, he turned his energy marketing experience into devising purchasing tools for energy end users and formed Bear Claw Energy, LLC, an energy consulting company and began yet another rehabilitation effort. Mike did not quit. Through the last 10 years of his life, Mike’s Mother became his caretaker, pain manager, health consultant, cook, secretary and chauffeur and reinforced his will never to quit. On March 25, 2015, Mike’s body finally and permanently quit on him. It was one final betrayal of his body and the damage was irreversible. Mike’s determination and force of will was no longer sufficient and he died, but he did not quit. Mike is survived by his parents, his siblings and their spouses, Kathryn B. Kincaid and spouse, Michael A. Lainoff of Washington, DC; James L Kincaid, Jr and spouse Danica of Tulsa, OK; J. Robert Kincaid and his spouse Natalie of Wilmette, IL and his nephews and nieces: Lillie O. Lainoff, Charles J. Lainoff, Kathryn E. Kincaid, Lena G. Kincaid, Ava R. Kincaid, Liya L. O. Kincaid, Robert M. Kincaid, William J. Kincaid and many, many friends and children of friends. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Crosstown Learning Center, 2501 E. Archer Street, Tulsa, OK 74110. A Memorial Service will be held at Boston Avenue Methodist Church, 1301 South Boston Avenue, Tulsa, at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, March 30, 2015. Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel, 918-585-1151.

Michael Burke Kincaid

December 26, 1974 - March 25, 2015