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July 2008
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Wednesday at 6:30 students and staff will gather at Bainbridge Island’s Ordway Elementary to remember a beloved school counselor believed to have been brutally murdered by his own son. From everything I’ve heard about Jeffrey McKinstry, he was a sweet man. The Jolly Rancher candies that line the memorial outside his school symbolize this. McKinstry was famous among students for giving kids Jolly Ranchers on their birthdays. He was even better known among his peers for remembering the names of every student (about 400 of them) at his school. If somehow McKinstry slipped up and forgot – you got a Jolly Rancher. It’s disturbing to think that a man known for giving bear hugs to his students could have been killed by his 21-year-old son, Garrett. Authorities do not believe Garrett McKinstry had a history of drug abuse, violence or mental problems (although he is currently undergoing a psychiatric evaluation at Western State Hospital). So, what - if the charges are true - could have prompted him to stab his father some 20 times in the chest with a kitchen knife, chase him into and out of the family home, and then try to set the body on fire in their driveway? Prosecutors and police won’t release a motive, referring reporters to the family, which isn’t commenting. Obviously though, while Jeff McKinstry was adored by countless kids over the years in the Bainbridge Schools, there was something terribly wrong at home. The only hint at what went wrong comes in a brief statement from charging papers that reads, “Garrett told us that when his dad got home from work … his dad yelled at him telling him that he needed to move out.” There are now two large memorials at Ordway Elementary. One adorning the school's outdoor sign along Madison Avenue, the other just inside the front doors. Both overflow with flowers, pictures and notes written by the children, and of course, lots of Jolly Ranchers. This community will not rest easy until they know exactly why this beloved man died in such a horrific attack. 4 Comments |
This whole incident is just plain sad. I'm a neighbor who drives past their house every day. Every time I drive by the house I think about the entire family and what they must be feeling today. One moment their family was like any other family in our neighborhood and the next moment all of their lives have been changed forever. All of us will go on with our lives as though nothing happened but this family will live it every day forever. My heart goes out to the entire family, including Garrett. I can't imagine what he is thinking now. I am positive he is feeling remorse but nothing will change what happened. He's so young. His family is torn apart by something so unthinkable to them. We all live thinking that nothing like this can happen in our lives and I'm that the McKinstry family thought the same thing, even just moments before it happened. What is it that happens that makes things go so wrong that something like this happens and it can never be taken back? In my opinion, this family doesn't need people wondering about the "why" or people saying that things must have been really bad in their house. They need support and help to assist them in relieving the pain they must feel. I'm not a friend or family member but I feel pain and compasion for this family. I plan to say prayers and think positive thoughts for them. I say a prayer every time I drive past their house. I think that everyone should do the same. Not just the mother, daughter, family members, and the father who was killed but also for Garrett. Especially for Garrett.
The community will be horrified by what that man did for years to his son.
I believe the young men of today are struggling with the concept of growing up and taking responsibility of their lives, if they have constantly been pushed to always be high achievers in athletics. Their abilities to compete in the real world are limited when the athletics are done.
Fathers sometimes place to much enfaces on athletics, and Boy’s are in a no win situation, when their athletic career runs out, unless they have been nurtured to take the next step and give back to the next younger generation of athletes, with a option via coaching.
Kingston, and North Kitsap area has had so many young men commit suicide( always men, never girls) or life ending events, that there really should be a impact study done, to understand the Root cause, the issue, and to help heal this community.
How many young men from this area are going through sever depression, and have not made these choices yet? Will they in the future? How many do you know?
The country has concentrated so much on the “GIRLS” with Title IX, and educating girls about opportunities for math and science in the class room, that the BOYS are not getting what they need to succeed. How many Single parent, or absent parent homes are there today? The BOYS are being left behind, with no safety net. GIRLS are becoming so assertive, that the BOYS have no clue what has hit them, in school, in college, and in life. Girls are not being left behind they are taking over. Many young men I know would love to be house husbands, and let the wife have the career. However society is sending mixed messages.
What are a Boys options? Military?, college with no direction or career?, Depression? Stay home? Peer pressure with Drugs and alcohol? Who is promoting the BOYS besides their coaches?
I pray for this family, and our community, and the next generation.
Posted by: A neighbor | October 19, 2007 12:51 PM
The community will be horrified by what that man did for years to his son.
hmmm..
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