Timothy Eads Kline

Ever a student of time, Timothy Eads Kline 1942-2020, understood that new friends, experiences, and adventure stretch our sense of its duration. With that knowledge, he managed to fold many lifetimes into his own. We who live in the wake of his earthly achievements, and the resonance of his well-lived life can only marvel at the discipline that drove him to excellence in all endeavors, the bravery of his callings, the depth and breadth of his tireless thirst for knowledge, and the range and scope of his ability to meet everyone on the same level with love and equanimity.

Timothy joins his wife, Bonnie for their time eternal, in new adventures, resting in the peace of our creator. The two met and fell in love for life while he was a cadet at the Air Force Academy and she a student at Colorado Women’s college. A proud 20th squadron Troll nicknamed “Twaz”, Tim excelled in studies, and earned the privilege of flying jets. He graduated from the Academy in 1964, and after achieving a Masters in History at LSU, returned to USAFA to teach. His love of the written word, from Proverbs to Proust continued to his last day.

Tim bravely left his new wife and young children to serve his country in Vietnam as forward air control (FAC), flying in the O-2. Tim eventually flew fighter jets and received the Distinguished Flying Cross among countless medals and accolades. After a storied career of globe-trotting at Mach speeds in his beloved “big ugly” F4 Phantom, from Woodbridge England to Okinawa Japan, Tim eventually attended the prestigious National War College, taught there, then served at the Pentagon for many years. He retired a full Colonel after several decades in service. It was then he decided to answer an even higher calling.

Navigating the vicissitudes of seminary, the pilgrim’s road of leading multiple churches simultaneously, countless baptisms, marriages and deathbed vigils, he eventually rose to Dean of Episcopal Christ Cathedral in Salina, KS. He dedicated himself to helping, healing, and counseling, spreading the Lord’s message of love and mercy with his greatest weapon of all, the energy and support of wife Bonnie.

After this great labor in faith, and ready to enjoy each other’s exclusive company, the two retired from the Lord’s work to their dream home in Texas on the cliffs of the Brazos river reservoir in Possum Kingdom, a stunning vista of unrivaled beauty, and a fortuitous flyover for jets from nearby Sheppard AFB. They both managed the blessing of living out their days there in that home under the vigilant care of their family, notably daughter and nurse Kelly, with guidance from Tim’s dear sister and USAF nurse, Tina.

Impossible to encapsulate, and doubtless daunting to eulogize, Tim was the embodiment of devotion to wife and family, friends, and country; a purveyor of sage advice with a rapier-sharp wit, ever guided by the spirit of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Tim is survived by sons Michael Kline and wife Valerie of Albuquerque, NM, David Kline and wife Courtney of Lake Worth, FL, and daughter Kelly Miller (Kline), and husband Chris of Weatherford, TX; grandchildren Jessica Dent and husband Shaun, Dean Kline, Katie Kline, Ben Miller, Riley Miller, and Eleonora Kline; great grandchildren Mason and Olivia Dent; sisters Ann (Tina) Louise Diehl and husband Steve, Melinda Lauren, Chris Newton and husband John, and Becky Fairbank and husband Chip and his brother and dearest friend, Paul Berger.

He is preceded in death by wife Bonnie Kline, mother, Reva Kline, Mother-in-law Jesse Witt, and fathers Edward Kline and Willard Witt, and sister Kay Mcpherson and husband/brother-in law Robert.

A graveside service with military honors will be held on Friday, September 3, 2021 at 11:15 am in Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery, where Tim will be laid to rest alongside the love of his life, Bonnie Kline. 

Donations can be made in Tim's honor to Fr. Nasir Pakistani Christian Asylum Church in Thailand care of Church of our Lord 6230 Isletta Blvd SW Albuquerque, NM 87105.