He grew up in Conroe graduating in the class of 1965, formed lifelong friends and hunted in the woods of Conroe after school or any chance he had. A lifelong outdoorsman his special place to hunt with his Dad was the Craig Ranch in the Uniweep Canyon in Colorado. He got his first big Mule Deer at 12 years old and at 18 yrs old, a black bear to be registered with the Boone & Crockett record book. He returned to the ranch throughout his life. His love for the outdoors and watching the sunsets brought him a special peace. He adored his father, believed he was larger than life, yet as genuine as they come and he taught Kyle to believe a man’s handshake was his word.
His college years were spent at Sam Houston State where he built a special bond with his Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity Brothers. Coined the Legend of the Sig Ep house, his legacy still echoes in the halls for not only being a faithful brother, but quite the prankster. It’s also where he met his future wife Pam. Moving to Houston he worked his way through various sales positions that eventually lead to asphalt sales. He retired from Valero Marketing and Supply and was currently employed with Wright Asphalt Product, Co. Life took separate turns in Houston for Kyle and Pam, but fate would eventually bind the two together and they remained married for 48 years.
After Pam, Kyle’s greatest passion was Quarter Mile Drag Boat racing. Spanning a 25 year career, he competed 16 classes up to the Top Fuel Hydro Class. Along with a myriad of Championships, he was inducted into the S.D.B.A. Hall of Fame in 1989, I.H.B.A. Driver of the Year in 1991, Lucas Oil Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017 and the 2024 Drag Boat Hall of Fame. He was a champion in every sense of the word, a hero to many, and was known for his kindness to fans and children, that infectious smile, always a good laugh and a natural gift for pure fun.
When Kyle was holding court, you didn’t just get the story of how he bagged that buck, you got a full-color commentary with sound effects. An amazing storyteller, you couldn’t be around him without walking away laughing hysterically. He couldn’t help but make people laugh.
But in the slowing pace of passing years, stillness became a refuge against the pain and God showed up for Kyle. His strong faith and reuniting with the church he had joined in 1957, completed his desire to journey to Israel on 3 occasions. He served as an Elder and regularly attended the Bereans Sunday School Class. If he were here, hed want you to know that there is more available to you than the great fun of the fast life, and that is the eternal life available through Jesus Christ.
Kyle was preceded in death by his parents and brother Kary. He leaves behind his treasured daughter Elisha , husband Sammy Orlando and grandsons Gavin and Mason Lopez. The Love of his Life, Pam Walker stays reluctantly behind and remembers why they call him Legend. They shared a life of adventure, and their devoted love story inspired many to live with purpose and love.
The world is less fun without him in it. Kyle was a man of passion, with a swagger that exemplified pure Texan. He was truly one of a kind.
A celebration of life for Kyle will be held Saturday, September 27, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church, 2727 N Loop 336 W, Conroe, TX 77304.
Serving as pallbearers are Gary Beck, Fred Bray, Kebin Kinsley, Gene Smith, Ronnie Wagner and Brothers Of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.
