How can you sum up an extraordinary 67 years on earth in a paragraph or two? This is just the tip of the iceberg…

Kim, the youngest of five, was born to loving parents, Ludington and Louise (Tiffinger) Stratton in Monticello, NY. We had an idyllic childhood growing up in the Catskills in the 60’s. At twelve, he became an expert (left-handed) trap shooter, competing against the old timers. Life took Kim on incredible backpacking adventures around Europe, Asia and Australia in the mid-70’s. He then followed brother Kit and sister Mandy to Tucson, AZ, residing there for the rest of his life. Soon after arriving, he suffered a grand mal seizure while skiing (yes, in Tucson), and was given three months to live. Well, stubborn Kim defied the odds, and survived another 46 years!

He was an artistic, creative genius who wore many hats and started many interesting businesses.

One had him spending summers in Fairbanks, AK for many years. He was also a very talented, self-taught musician and inventor who held a lot of patents over the years. You can add writer/philosopher to his other talents, “The world according to Kim.”

I’m sure he would have joked about meeting his demise in a comical New York accent, but that we will never get to hear. He was a FUNNY, brilliant, opinionated, loving, sensitive, compassionate human being.

Kim was predeceased by beloved parents, Lud and Louise, brother Christopher (Kit) and sister Amanda (Mandy). Survived by sisters Joan June (N.C.), Christina Doane (WA), Kelly Cohen (Tucson), brother-in-law Chris Doane and sister-in-law, Shelley Stratton, as well as many nieces and nephews. He sadly leaves behind his soul mate, Linda Johnson (Tucson), sweet kitty Bella-Boo, and many friends he cared about deeply.

RIP Bro! Cheers to a life well lived.