Jeffrey Allen McKinstry of Kingston died Oct. 11, 2007 at his home. He was 53.

McKinstry was born to Ronald and Shirley McKinstry in Seattle on May 8, 1954.

He married Lynnie Oosting on Dec. 18, 1976, and they moved to Kingston in 1983.

McKinstry graduated from Queen Anne High School in Seattle. He received a bachelor’s degree from Western Washington University, earned a teaching certificate from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Ore. and received a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from City University.

He dedicated his career to educating and supporting youth throughout his teaching and counseling years in Seattle and Kitsap County. McKinstry taught at King’s School in Seattle, Christ the King Academy in Poulsbo, Poulsbo Elementary School, Suquamish Elementary School, Breidablik Elementary School and Gordon Elementary School in the North Kitsap School District. For the past 12 years, he was a guidance counselor at Woodward Middle School and then at Ordway Elementary School on Bainbridge Island.

McKinstry and his wife were missionaries with World Concern to Malaysia, where he taught Vietnamese boat people English in preparation for acceptance into the United States. He was also an accomplished athlete, holding multiple coaching positions in Kitsap County.

He recently published his first novel, “31st Street Saints,” and finished the sequel.

McKinstry is survived by his wife Lynnie McKinstry of Kingston; son Garrett McKinstry of Kingston; daughter Mari McKinstry of Kingston; brother Michael (Claudia) McKinstry of Bainbridge Island; sister Jill (Gregg) Epperson of Poulsbo and Carol (Lee) Sundquist of Seattle; parents Ronald and Shirley McKinstry of Bainbridge Island; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Oct. 20 at Woodward Middle School on Bainbridge Island. A reception will follow in the school’s commons.

Memorial gifts may be sent to the Jeff McKinstry “Kids in Need” fund at any American Marine Bank branch.