Kevin Thomas O'Rourke

We bid farewell to Kevin Thomas O’Rourke, 72, beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, whose spirit departed from us on April 30, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of warmth and kindness. Kevin, a leader among men and a beacon of unwavering compassion and generosity, has left an indelible mark on the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know him.

He met the love of his life, JoAnn, when she moved to Albuquerque and took employment at a laundromat. He had the cleanest clothes in town until he worked up the nerve to ask her out. They were married for 42 years. He was devoted to his wife, children and grandchildren, as well as the Fighting Irish and Denver Broncos. He loved sports, popcorn, and playing the Domino game Texas 42.

He employed countless young men and women at Creamland Dairy where he worked for about 50 years; he didn’t care about a person’s background, he would offer a clean slate, a hand up, and a chance to improve their lives. But he wasn’t a pushover; if a person blew that chance there would not be a second.

Kevin is survived by his children, Bill Rice and wife Stephanie, Rob Rice and wife Michele, grandchildren Jakob, Sophia, and Noah, siblings, Rose Alexander, Eileen Belmares, Sheila Walker, Joseph O’Rourke (Angie), Mary Asghar, Theresa Hill, Patrick O’Rourke, and Rita Pecos, as well as nieces and nephews Melissa Alexander-Blythe, Sean Alexander, Joseph Belmares, Jean Belmares, James Walker, Katie Barela, James O’Rourke, Nicole Stewart, Scott Stewart, Kyle Hill, Colleen Wallace, Jennifer Saakvitne, and Carleen Ferreira, and many friends and extended family.

Kevin was preceded in death by his wife JoAnn, daughter Vanessa, parents, James and Eustelle O’Rourke, brothers Vincent, Terrance, and Dennis O’Rourke, and nephew Chris Belmares.

We invite all who cherished Kevin to join us in a ceremony of remembrance at the ABQ Three Angels SDA Church at 10750 Sunset Gardens Rd NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87121 on Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 11:00 am for a service including a eulogy, stories, laughter, and tears, followed by a reception at the same location. Food and water will be provided. Desserts are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, those moved to honor Kevin’s legacy may make donations to Inhora at 708 Tijeras AVE NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102, www.inhora.org, in recognition of the tremendous care he received there.

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