Austin Kristofer Kicksey

Funeral services for Austin Kristofer Kicksey, 32, will be held Tuesday, August 18, 2026,
at 10:30 a.m. at Living Word Fellowship Church in Knoxville, Iowa. Interment will follow
at Greenwood Cemetery in Knoxville.
Austin’s family will greet friends on Monday, August 17, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at
Living Word Fellowship Church. Memorials may be sent in care of his mother, Jennifer
Turner, and will be used in various ways to support Austin’s passion for youth ministry.
Austin Kristofer Kicksey, 32, of Fordland, Missouri, passed away on August 6, 2026,
from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Austin was born on October 9, 1993,
in Pella, Iowa, to Noel Kicksey and Jennifer Tille Kicksey. When Austin was young,
Jennifer married Mark Turner, who became a major influence in Austin’s life and helped
shape the man he would become.
Austin graduated from Knoxville High School with the Class of 2012 and went on to
attend Rhema Bible Training College in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Anyone who knew
Austin in high school probably remembers that he could get a little silly. Involved in
church drama skits was a natural fit for someone who loved engaging with people and
could strike up a conversation with just about anyone. If a skit was written to be short,
there was a pretty good chance Austin would find a way to make it last a little longer. He
enjoyed making people laugh and being around people.
At his core, Austin was kindhearted, honest, and deeply devoted to God. Even growing
up, he simply could not tell a lie—even when telling the truth meant he knew he was
going to be in trouble. Austin was confident in his beliefs and never afraid to stand up
for them. He could certainly be stubborn, but with Austin, that stubbornness usually
came from knowing what he believed and refusing to compromise the things that
mattered most to him.
There were three great loves in Austin’s life: Jesus, family, and basketball.
His faith wasn't something Austin reserved for Sunday mornings. It was part of who he
was and how he treated people. He had time for people. He had an ability to meet
people wherever they were in life, listen to them without judgment, and then gently point
them toward the path God had for them.
Austin, often known simply as “Kicks,” served with youth at Impact Church in Ozark,
Missouri. Wednesday evenings found him doing something he truly loved—working with
young people, teaching them the Gospel, laughing with them, encouraging them, and
helping them grow in their faith.
Sundays brought another group Austin especially loved: the “littles.” He looked forward
to opportunities to sit with the younger children and share with them his passion for
Jesus in a way they could understand.
But Austin’s ministry never really stopped at the church doors. If there was a person
nearby with an open ear or an open heart, Austin was willing to talk, listen, encourage,
and share his faith. Jesus was simply that much a part of Austin’s heart.
Austin loved the basketball, and when he supported a team, he committed completely.
That included making sure his outfit was color-coordinated with whichever team he was
cheering for—right down to the high-top shoes that matched the team colors. It was just
another little piece of personality that made Kicks, Kicks.
Austin will be remembered for his humor, his honesty, his kindness, his stubborn streak,
and his willingness to stand firmly for what he believed. Most importantly, he will be
remembered for the way he loved Jesus and tried to share that love with everyone
around him.
Austin is survived by his parents Jennifer (Mark) Turner, Noel Kicksey, and Kristy
Kicksey; wife, Tiffani; siblings: Amber (Nick) Schenck, Autumnn (Cameron) Van Wyk,
Abbie (Jonathan) Hughes, Taylor Allee, and Spencer Kicksey; his grandparents: Al Tille,
Sally McCombs, and Barb Holsey; and many nieces, nephews, church family, and
countless friends whose lives were touched by Austin.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents Pat Tille and Charles Turner.
Austin lived only 32 years, but the measure of his life isn't found simply in the number of
years he was given. It can be found in the young people he encouraged, the children he
taught, the family he loved, the friendships he built, and the faith he so openly shared.